West Virginia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia rose 0.2 percentage points in October 2023 to 4.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 15.7% and is now 11.7 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.3% in April 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.7 percentage points. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.1	+0.2
West Virginia	4.0%	+0.2	-0.1

Note: All comparisons are made with October data as November state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: West Virginia, National

West Virginia monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to October 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

West Virginia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in West Virginia peaked in April 2020 at 119,779. There are now 87,801 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 25,546 in May 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 6,432. West Virginia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
West Virginia	31,978	+1,656	-279

Number of Unemployed Persons