Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Continued Job Growth in April, Lower Unemployment Rate

On May 17, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin proudly announced that Virginia experienced continued job growth in April, with the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remaining below 3.0 percent at 2.8 percent. This figure is 0.1 percentage points lower than last month and 1.1 percentage points below the national rate, which rose to 3.9 percent.

“Our goal since day one has been for more Virginians to hear the words ‘you are hired,’ and each new job created represents a step toward a stronger Commonwealth and a promising future for all Virginians,” said Governor Youngkin. “It is our strong job growth that enabled us to pass and sign a bipartisan budget this week, making historic investments in areas important to our workforce, such as childcare for working families, behavioral health, and education. We will keep Virginia on a winning path and strengthen our economic vitality and our communities.”

In April, non-farm payroll employment in Virginia grew by 3,400. The number of employed Virginians increased by 517 to a total of 4,455,081. Since January 2022, over 204,000 more Virginians have found employment. Despite the labor force decreasing by 4,375 to 4,584,350, unemployed residents fell by 4,892 to 129,269. The labor force participation rate, which measures the proportion of the civilian population aged 16 and older that is employed or actively looking for work, decreased slightly to 66.4 percent.

“Continued employment growth and a sustained low unemployment rate signal resilience in our economy, paving the way for more robust job creation ahead,” stated Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater.

Secretary of Commerce Caren Merrick added, “Our focus remains on creating a strong labor market where every Virginian can find opportunities to thrive and contribute. We continue to be aggressive in attracting, expanding, and supporting new businesses in the Commonwealth.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes employment figures through the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) household survey and the Current Employment Statistics (CES) establishment survey. The LAUS survey is based on household interviews and provides comprehensive data on the labor force, including employment and unemployment. In contrast, the CES survey uses payroll records from employers to count jobs covered by unemployment insurance, excluding business owners, self-employed persons, unpaid volunteers, private household workers, and those on unpaid leave or not working due to labor disputes.

For more detailed information, visit the Virginia Works LMI website at virginiaworks.com.