State Unemployment Rate 7.0 Percent in April

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point to 7.0 percent in April 2015. The number of unemployed state residents increased 3,600 to 54,400. Total unemployment was up 500 over the year. The national unemployment rate was 5.4 percent.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased 400 in April, with losses of 2,300 in the goods-producing sector and increases of 2,700 in the service-providing sector.

Within the goods-producing sector, employment in mining and logging was down 300, construction was down 1,600, and manufacturing was down 400. Within the service-providing sector, employment declines included 100 in information, and 700 in financial activities. Employment increases included 200 in professional and business services, 900 in educational and health services, 1,400 in leisure and hospitality and 1,000 in government. Employment was unchanged in other services and in trade, transportation and utilities.

Since April 2014, total nonfarm payroll employment has decreased by 5,500. Employment gains included 300 in manufacturing, 1,900 in professional and business services, 1,900 in educational and health services, and 1,300 in government. Employment declines included 2,300 in mining and logging, 4,400 in construction, 200 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 200 in information, 1,400 in financial activities, 1,900 in leisure and hospitality, and 500 in other services.

West Virginia’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased five-tenths of a percentage point to 7.2 percent.

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