Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.7% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH market rose by 1,051 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 5.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH unemployment rate is 48 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in March versus prior month by -1.7% and are up 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 March 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 28,300; +200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 24,700; +100
  • Government: 23,300; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,100; +600
  • Business Services: 12,800; +400
  • Manufacturing: 10,500; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 7,100; +300
  • Financial Services: 4,300; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Unemployment by Industry March 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.