2019 Average Annual Total Employment Highest Since 2008
January 22, 2020
Charleston, W. Va.—West Virginia saw yet another year of job creation according to data released today by Workforce West Virginia. The seasonally adjusted averages compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics show the average total employment of jobs in the Mountain State for 2019 was 759,000. This is the highest number on record since 2008, when coal production was at an all time high.
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce hailed today’s strong jobs report. Chamber President Steve Roberts said, “the impressive data proves that West Virginia is now creating jobs. The economic policies that have been implemented to improve West Virginia are working.”
Some of the highlights of the 2019 annual jobs report are as follows:
- Civilian Labor Force is 797,800 – net gain of 14,500 from last year’s annual average
- Total Employment is 759,000- net gain of 16,800 from last year’s annual average
Roberts also said of the just-released data, “It is encouraging to see employment gains in spite of the halt of construction work on natural gas pipelines. The much-needed diversification of West Virginia’s economy continues. The resumption of construction work on these pipelines would further boost West Virginia’s economic standing.”
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is carefully monitoring a subset of the data, called total non-farm and note this subsect is sector specific and does not account for all employment. We also note challenges in the construction and mining industries continue to pull-down job creation.
“The reasons for optimism are clear. West Virginians must proceed into the new decade of the 21st century with as much positivity as this report shows. The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce will continue to be the leading advocate for economic development and job creation and will work to maintain a pro-jobs climate in West Virginia,” Roberts stated.
Members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce are your small business neighbors. Chamber members employ over half of our state’s workforce and are found in every county and region of our state. More information on the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.wvchamber.com.