Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH market rose by 96 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH unemployment rate is 39 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 320 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 6.2% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 27,900; +400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 26,100; no change
  • Government: 23,000; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,600; no change
  • Business Services: 13,400; +300
  • Manufacturing: 10,900; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 7,000; -300
  • Financial Services: 4,300; no change
  • Other Jobs: 3,900; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.