Governor Glenn Youngkin announced an increase in Virginia’s nonfarm payroll employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Employment Statistics Survey data. The state’s nonfarm payroll employment rose by 500 jobs over the month, reaching a total of 4,272,700 jobs—a rise of 47,900 since April 2024. Since January 2022, there has been an increase of 268,100 jobs.
“In addition to the 500 nonfarm payroll jobs added in April, March’s positive revision includes another 800 jobs,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This report underscores the resiliency of Virginia’s labor market and the need for us to continue our pro-growth policies that have seen record investment by companies wanting to be part of Virginia’s future.”
The BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics indicated that Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 3.3 percent in April. This is higher than last year’s rate by 0.5 percentage points but remains below the national rate of 4.2 percent.
Virginia’s labor force participation rate decreased slightly by 0.1 percentage points to reach 65.4 percent in April, which is still above the national average by 2.8 percentage points.
The labor force saw a reduction of 7,540 individuals to a total of 4,579,104 as unemployed residents increased by 6,305 to reach a total of 151,942. Meanwhile, employed residents decreased by approximately 13,845 individuals totaling at about 4,427,162.
“Despite a dip in overall labor force numbers, businesses across Virginia are still adding jobs,” stated Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater.”We’re working closely with industries to support expansion and investment that will drive long-term job creation.”
The CES survey uses employer payroll records and provides a count for unemployment insurance-paying jobs while excluding business owners and self-employed individuals among others not on employer payrolls.
For more details on these statistics and surveys visit https://www.virginiaworks.gov.
