Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.4% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 2,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market declined by 134 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 71 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 430 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 3% and are down 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 December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 109,300; +2,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 100,300; -400
  • Business Services: 78,400; -700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 72,300; +1,500
  • Government: 69,500; -400
  • Manufacturing: 29,000; +500
  • Financial Services: 28,500; -300
  • Construction, Mining: 28,100; +800
  • Other Jobs: 21,800; -100
  • IT & Development: 4,600; -200
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.