Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.0% with the biggest shift in Construction, Mining, which lost 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Baton Rouge, LA market declined by 205 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 6.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Baton Rouge, LA unemployment rate is 50 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 640 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 -3.0% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Baton Rouge, LA Unemployment May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 76,900; -500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 67,200; -400
  • Education & Healthcare: 51,600; no change
  • Business Services: 46,500; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 41,300; -900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 36,100; +800
  • Manufacturing: 29,000; no change
  • Financial Services: 16,500; -100
  • Other Jobs: 15,400; +200
  • IT & Development: 4,600; no change
Baton Rouge, LA 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.