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
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
Metro Markets in West Virginia
7 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
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 |
West Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is West Virginia's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
West Virginia averages 40.2 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #16 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within West Virginia?
Other Services carries the lowest entry risk in West Virginia at 32.7 (Moderate). It employs 18,254 workers across 3,748 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in West Virginia?
Retail Trade posts West Virginia's highest entry risk at 52.8 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in West Virginia?
47,880 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in West Virginia, employing 425,410 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is West Virginia's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in West Virginia with 134,192 jobs across 10,440 establishments and an entry risk score of 40.3.