Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.8% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH market declined by 681 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH unemployment rate is 70 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 830 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in May versus prior month by -1.5% 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 May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 28,500; +100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 25,100; +200
  • Government: 23,700; +300
  • Business Services: 13,200; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 13,200; +400
  • Manufacturing: 10,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 7,500; no change
  • Financial Services: 4,300; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,000; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.