{"schema_version": 1, "id": "morgantown-wv-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 260, "label": "Morgantown, WV MSA", "slug": "morgantown-wv-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:54:27.602524+00:00", "headline": "Morgantown's jobless rate pulls ahead of state and nation.", "headline_summary": "Monongalia County unemployment sits at 3.2% against West Virginia's 4.0% and the national 4.1%, even as local data engineer and business analyst pay post significant declines.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Monongalia County unemployment", "value": "3.2%", "context": "vs 4.0% WV, 4.1% national (Aug/Sep 2026)"}, {"label": "WV labor force participation", "value": "53.8%", "context": "vs 61.8% national average"}, {"label": "Registered nurse advertised pay", "value": "$111,506", "context": "up moderate, vs $102,252 national"}, {"label": "Data engineer advertised pay", "value": "$85,966", "context": "down significant, vs $138,000 national"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Morgantown's unemployment edge over the state is widening.", "body": "Monongalia County's 3.2% unemployment compares to West Virginia's 4.0% and the national 4.1%, a gap that reflects the metro's university and healthcare anchor employment amid the state's flat payroll trend. Press and government economists should treat this as a metro-specific resilience story distinct from the state's flat payroll trend."}, {"headline": "Healthcare and skilled trades pay are pulling away from the rest of the local basket.", "body": "Registered nurse pay ($111,506) and HVAC technician pay ($67,609) posted significant local gains, both outpacing their national medians, while manufacturing production worker pay fell to $34,320, a significant decline. Commerce leaders assessing the local business climate should note this bifurcation reflects sector-specific demand."}, {"headline": "Data and analytical roles show the sharpest local pay contraction in the basket.", "body": "Data engineer advertised pay fell to $85,966 locally, a significant drop and well below the $138,000 national median, with business analyst pay down significantly as well. Pattern is consistent with the national information-sector job losses reported in October BLS data and may signal reduced local demand for analytical talent even as healthcare and trades tighten."}, {"headline": "Public-sector stability locally stands apart from the state's government job losses.", "body": "West Virginia shed 500 government jobs statewide, yet Morgantown's university, WVU Medicine, and federal research presence (NIOSH, roughly 1,000 workers) appear to anchor local public and quasi-public employment. Government economists should watch whether this insulation holds if federal research funding or state higher-education appropriations shift."}], "local_conditions": "Morgantown's labor market holds a structural advantage over both the state and the nation this month, with Monongalia County unemployment at 3.2% in August against West Virginia's 4.0% and the national 4.1%, even as the metro's own June reading of 3.9% showed a slight year-over-year uptick. Advertised pay in the metro diverges sharply by sector: registered nurses ($111,506), HVAC technicians ($67,609), and electricians ($66,540) are posting significant increases alongside strong demand from WVU Medicine and West Virginia University, while manufacturing, data engineering, and business analyst postings show significant pay declines that track the state's broader stall in private-sector payroll growth.", "implications": "Tight local unemployment combined with uneven sector-level pay movement signals a metro economy expanding in healthcare, skilled trades, and education while contracting or stagnating in manufacturing and technical analysis roles \u2014 a pattern commerce leaders should read as sector-specific opportunity. Public-sector stability remains intact locally even as West Virginia shed 500 government jobs statewide, suggesting Morgantown's university and federal research presence (including NIOSH's roughly 1,000 employees) may be insulating the metro from the state's public-sector contraction. Economic development leaders evaluating business recruitment pitches should consider highlighting this divergence \u2014 the metro's advertised wage strength in healthcare and skilled trades alongside its below-state unemployment rate \u2014 as a differentiator from statewide labor force participation concerns.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Early indicator", "body": "West Virginia's labor force participation rate remains flat at 53.8%, well below the national 61.8%. Watch whether Morgantown's university-driven population draws a higher participation rate locally than the state average once county-level data updates."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Panther Creek Mine's WARN notice (109 miners, layoffs beginning December 5) adds to six coal-related WARN filings affecting roughly 900 workers statewide in 2026. This is a statewide signal; regional economic developers should watch for displaced worker migration into the metro's tighter labor market."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Official BLS October data for the Morgantown MSA has not yet posted; June remains the most recent confirmed metro unemployment figure. Government economists and press should flag this reporting lag when citing metro-level unemployment claims this month."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "National information-sector job losses (-10,000 in September) and local data engineer pay declines move in the same direction. Commerce leaders in tech-adjacent fields should monitor whether this reflects a durable local pullback or a temporary dip ahead of year-end budget cycles."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 22071.5, "metro_p50": 27186.0, "metro_p75": 30888.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 22869.0, "metro_p50": 27496.6, "metro_p75": 30277.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30731.0, "metro_p50": 34998.0, "metro_p75": 37667.25, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 58228.0, "metro_p50": 81520.0, "metro_p75": 90000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 26977.0, "metro_p50": 31679.0, "metro_p75": 36400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32563.25, "metro_p50": 38480.0, "metro_p75": 44720.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 53938.0, "metro_p50": 66540.0, "metro_p75": 68640.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32760.0, "metro_p50": 34320.0, "metro_p75": 37544.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32307.0, "metro_p50": 39250.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27187.25, "metro_p50": 30441.2, "metro_p75": 31178.25, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31557.0, "metro_p50": 36874.6, "metro_p75": 41811.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31315.0, "metro_p50": 37440.0, "metro_p75": 39293.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56160.0, "metro_p50": 67609.0, "metro_p75": 68248.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 90456.0, "metro_p50": 111506.0, "metro_p75": 121337.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 97534.0, "metro_p50": 122275.0, "metro_p75": 134003.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 85933.0, "metro_p50": 85966.0, "metro_p75": 86094.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 52578.75, "metro_p50": 63986.0, "metro_p75": 69330.25, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 61478.5, "metro_p50": 74873.2, "metro_p75": 81950.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 57500.0, "metro_p50": 84000.0, "metro_p75": 85000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 38751.0, "metro_p50": 49451.0, "metro_p75": 51802.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 74453.25, "metro_p50": 97653.0, "metro_p75": 99625.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27300.0, "metro_p50": 44123.0, "metro_p75": 53560.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60000.0, "metro_p50": 87119.2, "metro_p75": 94149.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": null, "metro_p25": null, "metro_p50": null, "metro_p75": null, "metro_trend_direction": null, "metro_trend_magnitude": null, "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 80897.75, "metro_p50": 90009.0, "metro_p75": 93147.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 55088.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 80844.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 32159.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 58180.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 53901.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 54538.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 67750.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 91364.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 31200.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 60012.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "morgantown-wv-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "morgantown-wv-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "morgantown-wv-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:26:31.603678+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/morgantown-wv-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/morgantown-wv-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}