October Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 5.2 Percent

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 5.2 percent in October 2018. The number of unemployed state residents declined 200 to 40,500, the lowest seasonally adjusted total unemployment in over a year. Total unemployment was down 1,700 over the year. The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased 1,500 in October, with gains of 800 in the service-providing sector and 700 in the goods-producing sector.

Within the goods-producing sector, employment gains of 500 in construction and 300 in manufacturing easily offset a decline of 100 in mining and logging. With the service-providing sector, employment gains included 300 in leisure and hospitality, 300 in financial activities, 200 in government, 200 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 100 in information, and 100 in other services. Employment declines included 300 in professional and business services and 100 in education and health services.

Since October 2017, total nonfarm payroll employment has increased 6.900. Employment gains included 2,100 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 1,900 in government, 1,600 in education and health services, 1,100 in construction, 900 in leisure and hospitality, 600 in manufacturing, and 100 in mining and logging. Employment declines included 900 in other services, 300 in professional and business services, and 200 in information. Employment in financial activities was unchanged over the year.