RICHMOND — Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point in June to 2.9 percent, which was also 0.1 percentage point below the rate from a year ago. In June, the labor force expanded for the twelfth consecutive month by 9,099, or 0.2 percent to set a new record high of 4,377,595, as the number of unemployed decreased by 1,036. Household employment increased by 10,135 to set a new high of 4,249,639. Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues to be below the national rate, which rose 0.1 percentage point to 3.7 percent.

Virginia’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment decreased by 1,200 jobs in June to 4,031,600. May’s total nonfarm employment was revised upward 600 jobs. In June, private sector employment decreased by 700 jobs to 3,308,300, while public sector payrolls decreased by 500 jobs to 723,300.

From May 2019 to June 2019, seasonally adjusted employment increased in three major industry divisions, held steady in manufacturing, and decreased in the other seven. The largest job gain during June occurred in professional and business services with a gain of 2,100 jobs to 761,200. The second largest over-the-month gain occurred in private education and health services with a gain of 800 jobs to 549,300. Miscellaneous services added 600 jobs to 202,300. The largest loss during June occurred in trade and transportation which declined by 2,200 jobs to 653,300. Other employment losses were leisure and hospitality (-1,200 jobs) to 416,000; government (-500 jobs) to 723,300; construction, (-300 jobs) to 199,900; information (-200 jobs) to 64,500; financial activities (200 jobs) to 207,000; and mining (-100 jobs) to 7,900. For total government, a gain occurred at federal government (200 jobs), while state government was unchanged, and local government lost 700 jobs.

Nonfarm Employment in Virginia*
Seasonally Adjusted

*Current month's estimates are preliminary.

From June 2018 to June 2019, Virginia’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment rose by 27,600 jobs, or 0.7 percent. Over-the-year employment growth in Virginia has been positive for 63 consecutive months and has maintained strength over the last several months. In June, the private sector recorded an over-the-year gain of 26,600 jobs, while employment in the public sector grew by 1,000 jobs.

Compared to a year ago, on a seasonally adjusted basis, seven of the eleven major industry divisions experienced employment gains, while the other four experienced employment losses. The largest over-the-year job gain occurred in professional and business services, up 10,200 jobs (+1.4 percent). The next largest over-the-year job growth occurred in private education and health services, up 8,200 jobs (+1.5 percent). Leisure and hospitality experienced the third largest over-the-year job gain of 7,600 jobs (+1.9 percent). Other gains were in manufacturing, up 6,700 jobs (+2.8 percent); construction, up 3,500 jobs (+1.8 percent); miscellaneous services up by 1,500 jobs (+0.7 percent), and government up 1,000 jobs (+0.1 percent). For total government, gains occurred in federal (500 jobs) and state government employment (1,100 jobs), with a loss in local government (-600 jobs).

Total Nonfarm Employment in Virginia*
Seasonally Adjusted

*Current month's estimates are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment data is produced for ten metropolitan areas. In June, four metropolitan areas experienced over-the-month job gains, one remained unchanged, while five experienced losses. The largest increase occurred in Richmond (2,400 jobs). Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News followed with a gain of 2,300 jobs. Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford had the third-largest gain (500 jobs) and Winchester had the fourth-largest monthly gain (400 jobs). Staunton-Waynesboro remained unchanged in June. The largest job loss occurred in Northern Virginia (-2,100 jobs). Others with declines include: Lynchburg (-900 jobs); Roanoke, (-500 jobs); and Charlottesville and Harrisonburg with losses of 200 jobs each.

Over the year, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased in nine of the ten metropolitan areas. The Northern Virginia metropolitan area experienced the largest absolute job gain, up 15,600 jobs (+1.0 percent). Richmond was ranked second, with a gain of 8,500 jobs (+1.3 percent), and Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News was ranked third, with a gain of 6,800 jobs (+0.9 percent). The other over-the-year job gains occurred in: Winchester (1,800 jobs); Staunton-Waynesboro (800 jobs); Harrisonburg (700 jobs); Charlottesville and Roanoke (600 jobs each); and Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford (100 jobs). The only job loss occurred in Lynchburg (-300 jobs).

Not Seasonally Adjusted Data

Virginia’s unadjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in June at 2.9 percent, and was down 0.3 percentage point from a year ago. Compared to a year ago, the number of unemployed decreased by 11,320, household employment rose by 83,052, and the labor force increased by 71,732. Virginia’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued to be below the national unadjusted rate, which was up 0.4 percentage point in June to 3.8 percent.

Compared to last month, the June unadjusted workweek for Virginia’s 170,700 manufacturing production workers was unchanged at 40.3 hours, average hourly earnings increased by $0.17 to $19.55, and average weekly earnings increased by $6.86 to $787.87. Compared to last June, the unadjusted workweek decreased by 0.4 hour, average hourly earnings were unchanged, and average weekly earnings were lower by $7.82.

The statistical reference week for the household survey this month was the week of June 7-13, 2019.

Files detailing June's unemployment numbers are available below: