Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.3% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.
Total employment in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH market rose by 519 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.3%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH unemployment rate is 41 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 30 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 29,500; no change
- Transportation & Utilities: 24,300; -200
- Government: 23,700; +1,100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 14,500; no change
- Business Services: 13,400; no change
- Manufacturing: 11,600; -200
- Construction, Mining: 6,300; +100
- Other Jobs: 4,500; no change
- Financial Services: 4,000; no change
- IT & Development: 1,200; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.