Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH market declined by 1,272 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 6.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH unemployment rate is 31 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 80 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 3.5% 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 January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.1%. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 28,100; no change
  • Transportation & Utilities: 24,800; -1,000
  • Government: 22,600; -300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 12,600; -400
  • Business Services: 12,400; -400
  • Manufacturing: 10,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 7,100; -600
  • Financial Services: 4,300; -100
  • Other Jobs: 3,900; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.