Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 2,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.
Total employment in the Richmond, VA market declined by 9,085 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.
- Richmond, VA unemployment rate is 29 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 70 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 2.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.1%. Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 122,300; -700
- Business Services: 121,100; -1,200
- Government: 108,400; +300
- Education & Healthcare: 101,900; +2,200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 70,200; -700
- Financial Services: 51,100; +300
- Construction, Mining: 38,800; -1,200
- Other Jobs: 31,200; +300
- Manufacturing: 31,100; -100
- IT & Development: 6,300; -100
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.