Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.6% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market declined by 3,256 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 100 bps to 6.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 131 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 320 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 6.3% 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 August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 103,600; -1,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 103,400; +1,900
  • Business Services: 72,400; +600
  • Government: 67,800; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 67,700; -1,200
  • Financial Services: 29,000; +600
  • Construction, Mining: 28,500; +200
  • Manufacturing: 28,300; -400
  • Other Jobs: 22,000; +200
  • IT & Development: 5,200; -200
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry August 2021

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

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.