W.Va. Unemployment Rate Tied With National Average

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1% in July. That’s down a tenth of a point from June.  

The total number of employed state residents decreased by 100 while the number of unemployed state residents dropped by 800. 

Unemployment rates are calculated based on the number of people working of seeking work. Nationally, the unemployment rate matched West Virginia’s, dipping to 4.1%. 

The state’s total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 600 from June to July. The goods-producing sector decreased by 1,100 over the month while the service-providing sector increased by 500.  

The goods producing sector saw manufacturing rise by 100 while mining and logging slid by 200 and construction scaled back by 1,000. 

The service-providing sector saw its largest gain in trade, transportation, and utilities, up 500 over the month. Leisure and hospitality rose by 300 and total government employment rose by 200.  

Financial activities and other services both saw a decrease, slipping by 200 apiece, while private education and health services dipped by 100.  

Professional and business services, along with information, were both unchanged in July. 

Over the year, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 1,400 jobs with the largest gain occurring in private education and health services (+3,200).  

The second largest gain came in professional and business services, up 800, while trade, transportation, and utilities rose by 300, and construction rose by 100.  

The largest loss came in total government employment (-1,000); federal employment saw a reduction of 2,100 jobs, local government decreased by 1,000, and state government increased by 2,100.  

Mining and logging (-900), leisure and hospitality (-500), other services (-300), financial activities (-200), and information (-100) also saw declines. 

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate also dropped by a tenth to the nation’s lowest at 53.8% in July.