NAICS 72

Accommodation and Food Services in West Virginia: 2026 Market Risk Report

Entry risk 33.7 (Moderate), ranked #17 of 51 states. 3,903 establishments, 62,987 jobs.

Entry Risk Assessment

Entry Risk Score 33.7
Low 0-30
Moderate 30-42
Elevated 42-55
High 55+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national accommodation and food services average.

🛡️Stable Market

The accommodation and food services sector in West Virginia is tracking close to the U.S. baseline, with no extreme signals in volatility, saturation, or wage pressure. Entry conditions are within the national median range.

5-Year Firm Retention
64.7%
Percentile within industry
Rank #19 of 51 states
Growth Momentum
3.2
Scale of 0-100
Rank #50 of 51 states
Establishment Density
10.0
vs. national average
Rank #7 of 51 states
Market Volatility
21.9
Lower is more stable
Wage Pressure Index
10.0
Labor cost pressure

3,903 Establishments in West Virginia

3,903
Establishments
+1.7% YoY
62,987
Total Employment
+0.2% YoY
$23,094
Average Annual Wage
+2.5% YoY

West Virginia vs National Accommodation and Food Services Average

How West Virginia's accommodation and food services market compares to the national average across all 51 states.

Metric WV National Difference
Entry Risk Score 33.7 40.0 -6.3
5-Year Retention 64.7% 51.0% +13.7
Growth Momentum 3.2 41.1 -37.9
Market Volatility 21.9 23.9 -2.0
Establishment Density 10.0 27.0 -17.0
Wage Pressure 10.0 33.4 -23.4

Green = favorable vs national average. Red = less favorable. Metrics are relative within accommodation and food services only.

West Virginia Ranks #17 of 51 for Accommodation and Food Services

West Virginia ranks #17 out of 51 states for accommodation and food services market entry conditions.

Accommodation and Food Services Entry Risk by State

Rank State Risk Score Classification
#1 Delaware 19.8 low
#2 North Carolina 23.4 low
#3 New Mexico 24.5 low
#4 Idaho 26.2 low
#5 Wisconsin 28.2 low
#17 West Virginia You 33.7 moderate
Entry Risk by State Alaska — 31.6 · #14 Alabama — 44.1 · #37 Arkansas — 36.9 · #26 Arizona — 46.9 · #40 California — 57.2 · #47 Colorado — 46.9 · #41 Connecticut — 37.3 · #27 District of Columbia — 81.4 · #51 Delaware — 19.8 · #1 Florida — 53.6 · #44 Georgia — 43.6 · #35 Hawaii — 66.1 · #50 Iowa — 39.0 · #29 Idaho — 26.2 · #4 Illinois — 39.5 · #30 Indiana — 37.9 · #28 Kansas — 34.2 · #18 Kentucky — 36.9 · #25 Louisiana — 43.8 · #36 Massachusetts — 28.4 · #7 Maryland — 31.7 · #15 Maine — 55.0 · #46 Michigan — 29.2 · #10 Minnesota — 34.9 · #19 Missouri — 47.2 · #42 Mississippi — 35.6 · #21 Montana — 46.1 · #39 North Carolina — 23.4 · #2 North Dakota — 29.5 · #12 Nebraska — 41.5 · #31 New Hampshire — 28.8 · #8 New Jersey — 43.3 · #34 New Mexico — 24.5 · #3 Nevada — 64.0 · #49 New York — 58.6 · #48 Ohio — 29.3 · #11 Oklahoma — 35.0 · #20 Oregon — 42.8 · #32 Pennsylvania — 36.8 · #24 Rhode Island — 28.3 · #6 South Carolina — 29.2 · #9 South Dakota — 36.7 · #23 Tennessee — 29.5 · #13 Texas — 46.0 · #38 Utah — 36.5 · #22 Virginia — 33.6 · #16 Vermont — 51.0 · #43 Washington — 42.9 · #33 Wisconsin — 28.2 · #5 West Virginia — 33.7 · #17 Wyoming — 55.0 · #45
Low Moderate Elevated High

Tap a state to view details

About Entry Risk Score: A weighted composite of firm retention, growth momentum, market volatility, establishment density, and wage pressure. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: February 2026. Next refresh expected: Q2 2026 (BLS QCEW update).

Compare to Another State

How does West Virginia stack up against other states for accommodation and food services?

Select a state above to see the comparison

Accommodation and Food Services in Neighboring States

How West Virginia's accommodation and food services market compares to bordering states.

Ohio 29.3 #11/51 Maryland 31.7 #15/51 Virginia 33.6 #16/51 Pennsylvania 36.8 #24/51 Kentucky 36.9 #25/51

Other Industries in West Virginia

Construction → Healthcare and Social Assistance → Retail Trade → Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services → Finance and Insurance → Real Estate and Rental and Leasing → Administrative and Support Services → Information → Other Services →