Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
About 748,000 West Virginians were employed in 2024.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED WVNA).
- •Health care and social assistance is now West Virginia's largest private-sector employer, surpassing coal mining.
Unemployment
West Virginia's unemployment rate was about 4.1% in 2024, close to the national rate.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED WVUR).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.1 | 4 |
- •West Virginia's unemployment rate understates its labor market slack because so many adults are outside the labor force entirely.
Labor Force
West Virginia's civilian labor force totals about 780,000 workers, one of the smallest of any state.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED WVLF).
- •West Virginia's labor force is smaller than that of many individual metropolitan areas in other states.
Occupations
Office and administrative support roles form West Virginia's largest occupational group, alongside a large healthcare support workforce.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
- •Health care support occupations have grown to become one of West Virginia's largest job categories as the population ages.
Salaries
The median annual wage in West Virginia is about $41,590, below the national median of $48,060.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU54000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU54000000500000003).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage ($) | 41590 | 48060 |
- •West Virginia's wage gap with the national median is smaller once its low cost of living is taken into account.
Remote Work
About 8.0% of West Virginia workers work from home, one of the lowest shares nationwide.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Work from home (%) | 8 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
West Virginia has the lowest labor force participation rate in the nation, at about 54.8%.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA54).
| Indicator | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Force Participation Rate (%) | 54.8 | 62.5 |
- •West Virginia has had the lowest labor force participation rate of any state for many consecutive years.