Overall unemployment rate moved down to 8.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 1,037 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 8.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 260 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 860 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 2.5% and are equal 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 May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.2%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 103,800; -400
  • Education & Healthcare: 102,100; -500
  • Business Services: 70,800; -100
  • Government: 70,600; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 64,300; +800
  • Financial Services: 28,800; -100
  • Manufacturing: 28,600; -600
  • Construction, Mining: 28,000; -100
  • Other Jobs: 21,700; +300
  • IT & Development: 5,700; +100
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.