Positive Job Growth Trends in Virginia

News Summary

Virginia’s job market shows significant positive signs with an increase of 5,900 jobs in April 2025, bringing total employment to 4,271,400. Despite a slight dip in labor force participation and a rise in unemployment rates, the overall outlook remains optimistic with plans for future job growth and a healthy ratio of job openings to unemployed individuals. The state’s commitment to fostering a supportive business environment is reflected in recent tax relief measures and forecasts of 65,000 new jobs.

Positive Job Market Trends in Virginia

Hello, Virginia resident! Have you heard the latest about our job market? It seems we have some exciting news that could brighten your day. As of April 2025, Virginia’s nonfarm payroll employment has seen an increase of 5,900 jobs in just a month, bringing the total to 4,271,400 jobs. That’s a good sign that our economy is chugging along quite nicely!

Job Growth on the Rise

If we look at the bigger picture, it’s even more impressive. Since March 2024, there has been a substantial uptick of 48,300 jobs. And let’s not forget about the trend since January 2022, where the total employment has surged a whopping 266,800 jobs. It’s a great time to be a job seeker in Virginia, with many positions opening up across various sectors.

Labor Force Participation and Unemployment Rates

0.2 percentage points to about 65.5% in March. This means fewer people are either working or looking for work, as it measures those in the civilian population aged 16 and older who are in the job market. At the same time, the local area unemployment statistics (LAUS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2%. This is actually a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points from the previous month.

0.4 percentage points compared to this time last year, it’s still 1.0 percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.2%. Our very own Virginia has a resilient job market. The size of the labor force has seen a decrease of 9,752 workers, totaling 4,586,386 individuals in the workforce.

Current Employment Challenges

5,029, now standing at 145,441, and there’s been a decrease of 14,781 employed individuals in the state, totaling 4,440,945. It’s crucial to stay informed about these changes, as they indicate how many folks are actively searching for work versus those who have found jobs.

Economic Outlook

6,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added last month. This is promising, as it reflects a growing business environment in Virginia. Additionally, state officials are reporting a healthy job market with a favorable ratio of two job openings available for every unemployed person in the state. Yes, you read that correctly—there are plenty of opportunities out there!

Sector-Specific Insights

65,000 jobs based on recent company announcements.

A Bright Future Ahead

$1.1 billion allocated towards tax relief measures for Virginians, the future looks promising.

job growth. With numerous openings available, it appears to be a good time to jump into the job market!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Washington Post: Amazon HQ2 Job Updates
• Virginia Mercury: Youngkin on Job Cuts
• WJLA: Virginia Job Growth Insights
• Google Search: Virginia Job Market Growth
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Economy

Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER

WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.