Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.
Total employment in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH market rose by 560 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.
- Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH unemployment rate is 79 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 360 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -0.3% and are equal compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.9% . Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 28,200; +200
- Transportation & Utilities: 24,900; -400
- Government: 21,500; +900
- Restaurants & Hotels: 13,500; +500
- Business Services: 13,300; +100
- Manufacturing: 10,700; -100
- Construction, Mining: 7,800; no change
- Financial Services: 4,300; -100
- Other Jobs: 4,000; no change
- IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.