Payroll
Employment,
Unemployment, and
Hours and Earnings in West Virginia
Employment:
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose 6,400 over the month of April
2008 to a level of 760,900. The goods-producing sector added 2,700
jobs, fueled by a seasonal gain of 2,600 in construction. Natural
resources and mining added 200 jobs, while manufacturing slipped 100.
The service-providing sector added 3,700 jobs, with gains of 1,700 in
leisure and hospitality, 800 in professional and business services, 400
in other services, 400 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 200 in
financial activities, 100 in government, and 100 in information.
Employment in educational and health services was unchanged over the
month.
Since April 2007, total nonfarm payroll employment has risen 4,300. The
goods-producing sector declined 1,800, with losses of 1,400 in
manufacturing and 900 in construction. Natural resources and mining
added 500 jobs. The service-providing sector added 6,100 jobs, with
gains of 3,100 in educational and health services, 1,700 in leisure and
hospitality, 1,200 in professional and business services, 600 in other
services, and 100 in information. Trade, transportation, and utilities
declined 600, while employment in both government and financial
activities was unchanged over the year.
Unemployment: The number of
unemployed state residents fell 600 to 42,200 in April. The
corresponding unemployment rate inched downward one-tenth of a
percentage point to 5.2 percent of the civilian labor force. Total
unemployment has risen 5,800 since April 2007, when the rate was 4.5
percent and 36,400 were jobless. The state's seasonally adjusted
unemployment rate climbed three-tenths of a percentage point to 5.0
percent in April, while the national rate inched downward one-tenth of
a percentage point to 5.0 percent.
Hours and Earnings: Earnings
for private sector production and nonsupervisory workers averaged
$15.19 in April, up 12 cents from the previous month. Hourly earnings
were up 58 cents over the year. Average weekly earnings rose $7.16 in
April 2008 to $524.06, and increased $21.48 from the previous April.
Average weekly hours were up slightly over the month as well as over
the year.