Department of Numbers

West Virginia Job Growth

There were 697,700 jobs in West Virginia in January 2023 according to the CES survey of employers. The CPS survey of households showed 753,106 employed persons for the month. West Virginia added 2,800 jobs in January 2023 according to the CES survey while the broader CPS employment measure rose by 642 (Comparing CES and CPS employment numbers.). Also available is West Virginia job growth compared to other states.

Employment Survey January 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
CES 697,700 +2,800 +3,400
CPS 753,106 +642 +103

West Virginia Employment Changes

The charts below shows the monthly job growth for West Virginia as measured by the CES and CPS surveys. To illustrate the trend, the 3 month moving average change in employment is shown in green.

CES Employment Change: 1 Month, Rolling 3 Month

CPS Employment Change: 1 Month, Rolling 3 Month

Total Employment in West Virginia

CES employment peaked in May 2012 for West Virginia at 740,300. Since then 42,600 jobs have been lost in West Virginia according to the employer survey. From a trough of 611,800 in April 2020, West Virginia has gained 85,900 jobs according to CES employment figures.

CPS employment in West Virginia reached a maximum of 770,072 in April 2008. 16,966 jobs have been lost in West Virginia since then according to the household survey. From a April 2020 low of 642,446, West Virginia has added 110,660 jobs according to the CPS survey.

Employment: CES, CPS

CES and CPS employment chart through January 2023

West Virginia Employment History

Date CES
Employment
CES
Month/Month
CPS
Employment
CPS
Month/Month
January 2023 697,700 2,800 753,106 642
December 2022 694,900 -7,600 752,464 284
November 2022 702,500 6,400 752,180 312
October 2022 696,100 1,300 751,868 -55
September 2022 694,800 900 751,923 -707
August 2022 693,900 100 752,630 -1,461
July 2022 693,800 -200 754,091 -1,724
June 2022 694,000 -3,000 755,815 -1,396
May 2022 697,000 -300 757,211 -635
April 2022 697,300 -600 757,846 487
March 2022 697,900 900 757,359 1,695
February 2022 697,000 2,700 755,664 2,661