Overall unemployment rate moved up to 1.6% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 2,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market declined by 1,346 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 1.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 209 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 170 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 5.1% 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 December 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 100,800; +2,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 80,700; +200
  • Business Services: 72,500; -1,000
  • Government: 66,200; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 48,500; -400
  • Financial Services: 43,500; -600
  • Manufacturing: 33,000; -300
  • Construction, Mining: 31,100; +800
  • Other Jobs: 18,800; +400
  • IT & Development: 9,900; no change
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.