Overall unemployment rate moved up to 8.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 3,663 jobs in April and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 8.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 235 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 850 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment April 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.9% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 104,600; +700
  • Education & Healthcare: 102,800; +1,000
  • Government: 71,200; +400
  • Business Services: 70,200; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 64,300; +2,000
  • Manufacturing: 29,300; +100
  • Financial Services: 29,000; +600
  • Construction, Mining: 28,000; -400
  • Other Jobs: 21,400; no change
  • IT & Development: 5,600; +200
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.