Economy, jobs and prices in West Virginia, United States: official figures
The economy of West Virginia (gross domestic product) was worth $111.3 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.4% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 9th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.2% on 2024.
How fast is the economy of West Virginia growing?
After adjusting for inflation, real GDP in West Virginia grew 2.8% in 2025, against 2.3% for the United States; 10th fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of West Virginia?
Dividing 2025 GDP by the Census Bureau's population estimate gives $63,020 of output per resident, against $90,294 for the US economy divided by the population of the 50 states and DC; 3rd lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs the economy of West Virginia growing or shrinking?
In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP in West Virginia shrank at an annual rate of 2.3% (United States: 2.2%); the slowest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat are the main industries in West Virginia?
In 2025 the largest private industry in West Virginia's economy was mining, oil and gas (13.9% of GDP), followed by health care and social assistance (11.5%) and real estate, rental and leasing (10.1%). Government accounted for 14.6% and manufacturing for 8.3%; the manufacturing share was 21st lowest of 51 (United States: 9.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow much do people in West Virginia spend?
Consumer spending (personal consumption expenditures) in West Virginia came to $52,770 per person in 2025 (United States: $61,062); 10th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs West Virginia expensive to live in?
Prices in West Virginia were 10.5% below the national average in 2024, by BEA's regional price parity of 89.5 (US = 100), which covers goods, services and housing; 9th least expensive of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in West Virginia?
Prices in West Virginia rose 2.5% in 2024, measured by BEA's implicit regional price deflator, against 2.6% nationally (PCE price index).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the per capita income in West Virginia?
Personal income per person in West Virginia was $58,217 in 2025, against $77,028 for the United States; 2nd lowest of 51. It was up 5.9% on 2024 and up 29.8% on 2020, before inflation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the disposable income per person in West Virginia?
After taxes, disposable personal income per person was $52,882 in 2025 (United States: $67,251); 2nd lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow far does income go in West Virginia?
Adjusted for local price levels, real personal income per person in West Virginia was $50,051 in 2024 in 2017 dollars (United States: $59,195); 2nd lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the median household income in West Virginia?
Median household income in West Virginia was $60,798 in 2024 (margin of error ±$1,120), against $81,604 for the United States; 2nd lowest of 51 by the point estimate. It was up 5.6% on 2023 after adjusting for inflation (American Community Survey).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in West Virginia?
The Gini index of household income inequality in West Virginia was 0.467 in 2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 means one household has everything; United States: 0.481); 25th most unequal of 51.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in West Virginia?
The unemployment rate in West Virginia was 4.0% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), down from 4.5% a year earlier; tied for 22nd highest of 51. The rate for the 50 states and DC combined was 4.2%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in West Virginia?
In September 2026, 30,655 people in West Virginia were unemployed and 741,423 employed, out of a labor force of 772,078.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in West Virginia in 2025?
Over 2025 the unemployment rate in West Virginia averaged 4.2% (an 11-month average: October 2025 was not collected during the federal shutdown), against 4.1% in 2024; tied for 20th highest of 51. The lowest annual rate since 1976 was 3.9% in 2022.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average salary in West Virginia?
Workers covered by unemployment insurance in West Virginia were paid $60,359 on average in 2025 ($1,161 a week), up 3.6% on 2024; the US average was $78,720. That is 2nd lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs are there in West Virginia?
Employers in West Virginia had an average of 695,422 jobs on their payrolls in 2025 across 62,518 establishments, unchanged on 2024 (United States: up 0.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median wage in West Virginia?
The median annual wage across all occupations in West Virginia was $45,300 in May 2025 (mean $56,470); 3rd lowest of 51. One in ten workers earned less than $26,070 and one in ten more than $98,220.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the most common job in West Virginia?
The most common occupation in West Virginia in May 2025 was registered nurses, with 23,430 workers and a median annual wage of $80,130.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in West Virginia?
Median household income in West Virginia was $60,662 in 2024, 2nd lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $81,604). In 2019 it was $48,659, so it has risen 24.7% before allowing for inflation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in West Virginia?
The median gross rent in West Virginia, including utilities, was $883 a month in 2024, up 3.9% on 2023 ($850); the lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $1,487).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the median home value in West Virginia?
Homeowners in West Virginia valued their homes at a median of $170,800 in 2024, up 4.3% on 2023 ($163,700); the lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $360,600).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in West Virginia?
The median home value in West Virginia was 2.8 times the median household income in 2024 ($170,800 against $60,662); the lowest ratio among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 4.4).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyIs rent affordable in West Virginia?
A household on the median income in West Virginia would spend 17.5% of its income on the median rent of $883 a month in 2024 (U.S.: 21.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow West Virginia compares with other states
Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) (2025)
West Virginia ranks 43 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | New Hampshire | $128.3 billion |
| 41 | Hawaii | $123.2 billion |
| 42 | Delaware | $121.9 billion |
| 43 | West Virginia | $111.3 billion |
| 44 | Maine | $101.7 billion |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $88.2 billion |
| 46 | North Dakota | $82.3 billion |
GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) (2025)
West Virginia ranks 49 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | South Carolina | $67,929 |
| 46 | Idaho | $67,695 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $66,523 |
| 48 | Alabama | $65,286 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $63,020 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $62,922 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $55,117 |
Real GDP growth, 2025 (2025)
West Virginia ranks 10 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Kentucky | 3.0% |
| 8 | Georgia | 2.9% |
| 9 | Texas | 2.8% |
| 10 | West Virginia | 2.8% |
| 11 | Florida | 2.8% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 2.8% |
| 13 | Utah | 2.7% |
Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) (2026:Q2)
West Virginia ranks 51 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Montana | 0.1% |
| 46 | Nebraska | -0.1% |
| 47 | Kansas | -0.6% |
| 48 | North Dakota | -0.9% |
| 49 | Alaska | -1.3% |
| 50 | Wyoming | -1.6% |
| 51 | West Virginia | -2.3% |
Personal income per person, 2025 (2025)
West Virginia ranks 50 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Personal income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | South Carolina | $63,435 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $62,089 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $61,697 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $60,835 |
| 49 | Alabama | $59,754 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $58,217 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $54,433 |
Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 50 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | South Carolina | $52,463 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $52,290 |
| 47 | Hawaii | $52,272 |
| 48 | Alabama | $52,216 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $51,121 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $50,051 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $48,465 |
Median household income, 2024 (ACS) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 50 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household income, 2024 (ACS) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Alabama | $66,659 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $66,148 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $64,526 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $62,106 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $60,986 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $60,798 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $59,127 |
Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 43 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Kentucky | 90.2 |
| 41 | Nebraska | 90.1 |
| 42 | Kansas | 90.1 |
| 43 | West Virginia | 89.5 |
| 44 | North Dakota | 89.0 |
| 45 | Alabama | 88.8 |
| 46 | South Dakota | 88.6 |
Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) (September 2026)
West Virginia ranks 24 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Colorado | 4.1% |
| 22 | South Carolina | 4.0% |
| 23 | Louisiana | 4.0% |
| 24 | West Virginia | 4.0% |
| 25 | Maryland | 3.9% |
| 26 | Arkansas | 3.9% |
| 27 | Kansas | 3.8% |
Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average (2025)
West Virginia ranks 22 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Louisiana | 4.3% |
| 20 | Texas | 4.2% |
| 21 | New Mexico | 4.2% |
| 22 | West Virginia | 4.2% |
| 23 | Arkansas | 4.1% |
| 24 | Missouri | 4.0% |
| 25 | Maryland | 4.0% |
Labor force participation rate, September 2026 (September 2026)
West Virginia ranks 51 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labor force participation rate, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | North Carolina | 57.8% |
| 46 | Delaware | 57.8% |
| 47 | Florida | 57.3% |
| 48 | Alabama | 56.8% |
| 49 | New Mexico | 56.6% |
| 50 | Mississippi | 54.5% |
| 51 | West Virginia | 53.8% |
Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) (2025)
West Virginia ranks 50 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Kentucky | $62,521 |
| 46 | Idaho | $62,392 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $61,152 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $60,996 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $60,575 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $60,359 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $53,223 |
Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) (May 2025)
West Virginia ranks 49 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | South Carolina | $46,490 |
| 46 | Alabama | $45,670 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $45,600 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $45,520 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $45,300 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $43,630 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $40,120 |
Median household income (2024)
West Virginia ranks 50 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau SAIPE model estimates
| Rank | Region | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Alabama | $66,704 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $66,124 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $64,481 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $62,146 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $61,038 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $60,662 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $59,301 |
Median gross rent (monthly) (2024)
West Virginia ranks 51 of 51, highest first. Renter-occupied units paying cash rent
| Rank | Region | Median gross rent (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Kentucky | $998 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $998 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $990 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $982 |
| 49 | Iowa | $981 |
| 50 | North Dakota | $980 |
| 51 | West Virginia | $883 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2024)
West Virginia ranks 51 of 51, highest first. Owner-reported value
| Rank | Region | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Iowa | $227,300 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $226,000 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $223,200 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $222,100 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $215,600 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $186,500 |
| 51 | West Virginia | $170,800 |
More on West Virginia: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2024 (ACSBR-025), Appendix Table 1: median household income and Gini index by state, 2023 and 2024 American Community Survey, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5de1b0d5ec46…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SASUMMARY: State annual summary statistics: personal income, GDP, consumer spending, price indexes, and employment (updated 30 September 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a3757d207c05…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SAGDP: Annual GDP by state, 1997-2025 (table SAGDP2, GDP in current dollars by industry), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d3c5bc7bd24…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SQGDP: Quarterly GDP by state, 2005-2026 Q2 (table SQGDP11, percent change in real GDP at annual rate), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1649260cdceb…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, monthly, seasonally adjusted, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7bb6f18d4145…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, annual averages 1976-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 262aba7d00df…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (state_M2025_dl.xlsx), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 74d5be0e1df8…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages, all industries (open data CSV slice), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5a5f89142aae…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median gross rent (B25064), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8624f9775add…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median value of owner-occupied homes (B25077), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27120d5d8a5f…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2024 poverty and median household income, states and counties, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cb52c47d75c1…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.