West Virginia's unemployment rate fell to 8.9 percent in April

    CHARLESTON — West Virginia’s unemployment rate fell from 10.1 to 8.9 percent in April, WorkForce West Virginia reported today. The number of unemployed state residents declined 8,700 to 69,800. Total unemployment rate was up 8,700 over the year. 

    Total nonfarm payroll employment rose 7,100, with gains of 3,400 in the goods-producing sector and 3,700 in the service-providing sector. Within the goods-producing sector, employment gains included 2,600 in construction, 500 in manufacturing, and 300 in mining and logging. 

    Employment increases with the service-providing sector included 1,600 in professional and business services, 1,600 in leisure and hospitality, 800 in other services, and 600 in trade, transportation, and utilities. Employment declines included 500 in educational and health services, 200 in government, 100 in information, and 100 in financial services.

    Since April 2009, total nonfarm payroll employment has fallen 8,000, with losses of 5,300 in the goods-producing sector and 2,700 in the service-providing sector. Declines included 2,200 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 2,100 in mining and logging, 1,700 in manufacturing, 1,700 in leisure and hospitality, 1,500 in construction, 800 in financial activities, 700 in information, and 300 in professional and business services.

    Employment gains included 1,800 in government, 1,000 in educational and health service, and 200 in other services.

    West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined three-tenths of a percentage point to 9.2 percent, while the national rate climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 9.9 percent.