West Virginia Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia fell 0.3 percentage points in November 2021 to 4.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 15.6% and is now 11.6 percentage points lower. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | November 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 4.2% | -0.4 | -2.5 |
| West Virginia | 4.0% | -0.3 | -3.0 |
Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December state level unemployment data has not yet been released.
Unemployment Rate: West Virginia, National
Note: Recessions shown in gray
West Virginia Unemployed
The number of people unemployed in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 119,473. There are now 87,870 fewer people unemployed in the state. West Virginia job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | November 2021 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 31,603 | -2,779 | -24,434 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
West Virginia Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployment Rate |
West Virginia Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2021 | 3.9% | — | — |
| November 2021 | 4.2% | 4.0% | 31,603 |
| October 2021 | 4.6% | 4.3% | 34,382 |
| September 2021 | 4.7% | 4.6% | 36,662 |
| August 2021 | 5.2% | 4.8% | 38,121 |
| July 2021 | 5.4% | 5.0% | 39,933 |
| June 2021 | 5.9% | 5.3% | 42,026 |
| May 2021 | 5.8% | 5.5% | 43,738 |
| April 2021 | 6.0% | 5.8% | 45,891 |
| March 2021 | 6.0% | 5.9% | 47,282 |
| February 2021 | 6.2% | 6.2% | 49,663 |
| January 2021 | 6.4% | 6.5% | 51,604 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
