Overall unemployment rate moved up to 9.1% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 3,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market declined by 10,795 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 90 bps to 9.1%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 229 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 390 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 7.2% 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 January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 105,700; -3,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 100,800; -300
  • Government: 70,600; -800
  • Business Services: 69,400; -800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 62,400; -1,000
  • Construction, Mining: 29,200; -600
  • Manufacturing: 28,300; -1,600
  • Financial Services: 28,000; +400
  • Other Jobs: 21,500; +300
  • IT & Development: 5,500; +100
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.