Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 9,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 15,555 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 110 bps to 5.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 84 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 400 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 4.5% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 4.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 103,800; +3,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 100,100; +1,500
  • Business Services: 77,500; +4,600
  • Government: 69,600; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 67,300; +9,500
  • Construction, Mining: 30,400; +3,100
  • Manufacturing: 28,200; +300
  • Financial Services: 28,000; -200
  • Other Jobs: 21,700; +300
  • IT & Development: 4,700; +200
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.