West Virginia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for West Virginia fell 0.2 percentage points in January 2023 to 3.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 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 11.8 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.6% in March 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also see West Virginia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.4%	-0.1	-0.6
West Virginia	3.9%	-0.2	+0.1

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

Unemployment Rate: West Virginia, National

West Virginia monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to January 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 88,867 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 28,568 in March 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 2,344. West Virginia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
West Virginia	30,912	-947	+1,035

Number of Unemployed Persons