State Unemployment Falls Again, So Does Workforce Participation

West Virginia’s unemployment rate dropped by a tenth of one percent, to 4.2% for June.  

The total number of employed state residents decreased by 1,000 over the month – declining to 740,700 – while the number of unemployed state residents decreased by 600 to 32,800.  

Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate matched West Virginia’s, dipping by 0.1% over the month to 4.2%. 

Unemployment and workforce participation are based on the number of people who are looking for work or actively working. Those who aren’t doing either are not counted.  

Total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 9,100 from May to June, primarily from the release of short-term election workers across the state.  

The goods-producing sector saw manufacturing rise by 100 and mining and logging slide by 100 while construction held level. 

The service-providing sector saw its largest loss in total government employment as temporary workers were let go in local government (-8,900) following the primary election. Private education and health services (-300) saw the second largest decrease for the sector.  

Financial activities and trade, transportation, and utilities dipped by 100. Professional and business services rose by 200 while leisure and hospitality matched other services, both industries added 100 jobs in June. The information industry was unchanged for the month. 

Over the year, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 1,900 jobs with the largest gain occurring in private education and health services (+3,400). The second largest gain was seen in construction as the industry added 1,300 jobs. Professional and business services added 800 with other services (+200) and financial activities (+100) posting gains as well. The largest loss came from a reduction of 2,200 jobs in federal employment. Mining and logging (-900), trade, transportation, and utilities (-300), manufacturing (-200), leisure and hospitality (-200), and information (-200) also saw declines. 

The state’s already nationwide low workforce participation rate dropped a tenth to 53.9% in June.