WV
West Virginia: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #16 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,793,716.
West Virginia ranks #16 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (40.2). Other Services carries the lowest risk at 32.7 (Moderate), while Retail Trade is the most challenging at 52.8 (Elevated). The 20.1-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 134,192 jobs.
West Virginia: 40.2 Average Entry Risk
47,880
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
425,410
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
40.2
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
West Virginia at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in West Virginia
Industries with the lowest entry risk in West Virginia.
Entry Risk by Industry in West Virginia
Compare market entry conditions across industries in West Virginia. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
West Virginia Industry Data: 47,880 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 32.7 | #4/51 | 3,748 | 18,254 | $43,630 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 33.7 | #17/51 | 3,903 | 62,987 | $23,094 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 34.4 | #8/51 | 7,825 | 30,549 | $77,550 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 37.3 | #11/51 | 1,373 | 7,807 | $74,981 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 39.8 | #2/51 | 3,047 | 18,888 | $73,945 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 40.3 | #27/51 | 10,440 | 134,192 | $61,059 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 40.6 | #23/51 | 4,522 | 34,130 | $50,836 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 40.6 | #27/51 | 1,846 | 6,945 | $51,813 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 49.5 | #35/51 | 4,704 | 33,672 | $70,142 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 52.8 | #47/51 | 6,472 | 77,986 | $35,130 |
Largest Industries in West Virginia by Employment
How West Virginia Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs WV |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 40.2 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 33.6 | -6.6 |
| Ohio | 38.5 | -1.7 |
| Kentucky | 39.4 | -0.8 |
| Virginia | 41.3 | +1.1 |
| Maryland | 41.8 | +1.6 |