Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.3% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market declined by 3,827 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 299 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 220 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 3.6% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Unemployment August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 92,300; -1,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 79,700; +400
  • Business Services: 72,400; +600
  • Government: 62,300; -300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 50,000; +900
  • Financial Services: 43,900; +100
  • Manufacturing: 33,700; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 31,600; -300
  • Other Jobs: 18,700; +100
  • IT & Development: 9,900; +200
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.