Overall unemployment rate moved down to 7.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 8,271 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 130 bps to 7.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 194 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 July versus prior month by 2.1% 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 July 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 104,800; +600
  • Education & Healthcare: 102,600; -100
  • Business Services: 71,500; -500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 69,200; +2,000
  • Government: 68,900; -1,400
  • Manufacturing: 28,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 28,400; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 28,300; no change
  • Other Jobs: 21,900; +200
  • IT & Development: 5,400; no change
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.