Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 4,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 5,650 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 91 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 410 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 4.1% 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 November 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 106,700; +2,500
  • Education & Healthcare: 100,600; +100
  • Business Services: 78,900; -300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 72,700; +4,100
  • Government: 70,000; +400
  • Financial Services: 28,900; +900
  • Manufacturing: 28,500; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 28,100; -400
  • Other Jobs: 22,100; +400
  • IT & Development: 4,800; +100
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry November 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.