| Wal-Mart Stores is WV's largest private employer, a title the retail giant has held since 1998.
WorkForce West Virginia released its annual list of the state's largest private employers this week.
Wal-Mart was followed by West Virginia United Health System, Charleston Area Medical Center Inc., the supermarket chain Kroger and Consolidation Coal. Co.
All of the top five employers held the same positions in 2011.
The next five were Lowe's Home Centers, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Mentor Management Inc., St. Mary's Hospital and American Electric Power Co.
Steel manufacturing was once the state's biggest employer, that industry having been globalized.
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