From IBIS World: The state of West Virginia employed 630,558 people in 2024, which ranks it 42nd out of all 50 US states. Employment in West Virginia has grown at an annualized rate of -0.3% over the five years to 2024, underperforming the national average of 1.2%. Major sectors by employment in West Virginia include Healthcare and Social Assistance, Retail Trade and Accommodation and Food Services, which employed 146,546, 98,521 and 64,805 people in 2024, respectively. West Virginia's unemployment rate is 4.5% in 2024, which ranks it 41st out of 50 states. West Virginia's unemployment rate has trended downwards at a rate of -1.9% over the five years to 2024, overperforming the US economy as a whole. Employment trends indicate the degree of tightness or slack in labor markets, in addition to the overall strength of an economy. Faster employment growth typically indicates a strong and growing economy, while lower unemployment tends to imply tightness in labor markets.