Employment

Disability and Employment in West Virginia

West Virginians are known to be hard-working, determined, and resilient. Having a disability does not change that.

By the numbers

  • According to the Disability Employment TA Center, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the current population of West Virginia is 1,741,322, with 337,766 of those being individuals with disabilities.
  • The U.S. Census Bureau reports that West Virginia possesses the highest disability rate in the nation at 19.5%.
  • West Virginia also has the highest percentage of “working-age” adults who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at 7.2%.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 751,000 West Virginians are currently employed full- or part-time.
  • While the employment rate for individuals with disabilities nationwide is roughly 25%, Disability Employment TA Center data shows the employment rate for people with disabilities in West Virginia is at 31.3%, significantly higher than the national average.

West Virginia Employment Statistics by County

Largest employers in West Virginia:

These are the businesses that employ the most workers in West Virginia. This list excludes state and local government agencies.

  1. WVU Medicine
  2. Vandalia Health
  3. Marshall Health
  4. Walmart
  5. WVNH Emp, LLC
  6. Contura Energy
  7. Kroger
  8. Toyota West Virginia
  9. Arch Coal
  10. Lowe’s
  11. American Consolidated Natural Resource
  12. West Virginia’s Choice, INC.
  13. Dollar General
  14. Brookfield-First Energy
  15. Appalachian Power Company
  16. Pilgrim’s Pride
  17. Res-Care
  18. CVS Pharmacy
  19. Northrop Grumman
  20. Procter and Gamble

Occupations projected to have the highest growth in West Virginia between 2025-2035:

  • Registered Nurses
  • Nursing assistants
  • Food preparation workers and managers
  • Janitors and cleaners
  • Retail salespersons
  • Retail supervisors
  • Teaching assistants
  • Oil and gas extraction workers
  • Childcare workers
  • Accountants and auditors
  • Dental assistants
  • Home/personal care aides

A need exists in West Virginia to connect skilled workers, both with and without disabilities, to the employers who need qualified candidates for this projected increase in hiring. Additionally, the need for training options will be vital in ensuring that the labor force in West Virginia has the pool of talent required to fill these positions. The following are organizations and agencies that can offer support in areas of job-seeking and training:

  • WVU CED Disability Employment Services

    Disability Employment Services (DES) at West Virginia University’s Center For Excellence in Disabilities is a comprehensive program that supports individuals with disabilities and their families in every aspect of finding and maintaining employment. DES exists to be a helpful resource, support system, and advocate for workers with disabilities across West Virginia.

  • CareerOneStop

    Mandated by federal law, every state is required to maintain a free Employment Service agency for its citizens. American Job Centers were thus created to offer these services, which generally include job-seeking assistance, job training services, labor market information, workshops, job postings, and other employment-related services. In West Virginia, the American Job Center is known as the agency WorkForce West Virginia.

  • West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

    DRS provides “vocational services to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, retain, or advance in employment. Vocational rehabilitation counselors help consumers assess interests and abilities, explore career options, and develop plans to reach their unique employment goals.”

  • The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

    WIOA was signed into law on July 22, 2014. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Of particular interest is that WIOA programs maintain lists of approved training providers that cover a variety of training opportunities paid for by government funds. In the state of West Virginia, WIOA program funding is administered by the Workforce Development Boards (WDB).

  • Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

    JAN is an extensive resource of free information and guidance on workplace accommodations. JAN continues to be a valuable source of disability-related information to individuals and employers across the nation.