West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment remained at 6.0 percent in November 2016. The number of unemployed state residents held at 47,900. Total unemployment was down 1,300 over the year. The national unemployment rate declined to 4.6 percent.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased 10,400 in November, with gains of 1,800 in the goods-producing sector and 8,600 in the service-providing sector.

The goods-producing sector saw employment gains of 200 in mining and logging and 1,600 in construction. Employment in manufacturing was unchanged. Within the service- providing sector, employment increases included 200 in financial activities, 100 in educational and health services, 500 in leisure and hospitality, and 9,400 in government, due almost entirely to election workers at the local level. Employment declines included 100 in trade, transportation and utilities, 1,000  in  professional  and  business  services,  and  500  in  other  services. Employment in information was unchanged.

Since November 2015, total nonfarm payroll employment has increased by 10,900. Employment gains included 1,200 in construction, 4,400 in educational and health services,

2,500 in leisure and hospitality, and 9,400 in government, again due almost entirely to election workers. Employment declines included 2,500 in mining and logging, 500 in manufacturing, 300 in information, 1,600 in financial activities, 800 in professional and business services and 900 in other services.  Employment in trade, transportation and utilities was unchanged over the year.

West  Virginia’s  not  seasonally  adjusted  unemployment  rate  fell  five-tenths  of  a percentage point to 5.1 in November.