Coal mining and manufacturing are two of the largest sources of jobs in West Virginia. The economy of the state is predominantly resource-based, with agriculture, mining, forestry and oil drilling as major industry subsectors. West Virginia jobs in manufacturing are spread amongst the chemical, steel and glass industries. Notable companies headquartered in West Virginia include United Bankshares, Wheeling Pittsburgh and Arch Coal.

State government is the largest single provider of Charleston, West Virginia jobs. Besides being WV’s capital and most populous city, Charleston is also a state center for manufacturing and energy. The South Charleston Technology Park is an importance resource for high-tech West Virginia careers in engineering and chemical research and development. In the state’s second most populous city, Huntington, West Virginia, jobs in the service and healthcare sectors account for the largest portion of the workforce. Marshall University and St. Mary’s Medical Center are sizable employers in Huntington.