Latest Jobs Report Represents Best June Since 2008
July 16, 2019
Charleston, W.Va. – The monthly state data release from Workforce WV that became available this afternoon shows that total employment for the month of June was the strongest number for the month of June since 2008. Total employment for June 2019 in West Virginia stood at 754,400.
West Virginia Chamber President Steve Roberts stated, “Just like the May report released last month, today’s numbers are truly jaw-dropping in how good they are for our state’s economic outlook. We haven’t seen total employment in West Virginia rise this high since before the Great Recession.”
According to Workforce WV, total employment in West Virginia increased 13,000 from June 2018 – June 2019. Some of the highlights by sector are as follows:
- Total Nonfarm Payroll Employment is reported at 738,400 jobs – a net gain of 12,000 jobs
- Total Employment is 754,400 – net gain of 13,000
- Private Sector Employment is 586,600 – net gain of 13,100
- Mining & Logging is at 23,000 – a gain of 300
- Manufacturing is at 48,100 – a gain of 1,600
- Construction is at 49,000 – a gain of 8,100
- Educational & Health Services is at 131,200 – a gain of 3,000
One industry sector that continues to struggle in West Virginia is retail trade. Roberts stated, “While the employment increases in West Virginia tended to be pretty widespread, retail trade dropped by 2,800 jobs in the last year. This sector continues to be a challenge, especially with the rapidly expanding online retail market.”
Roberts concluded, “Today’s report from Workforce West Virginia is simply more good news. It also reinforces the argument that when pro-jobs and pro-growth policies are adopted, West Virginia’s potential is limitless. I would be remiss if I did not thank the leadership of the West Virginia Legislature for the many reforms they have adopted in recent years to help make our state more attractive to job creation.”
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.