Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 2.7% 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 Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market rose by 6,101 jobs in May and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 280 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 370 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 2.7% and are down 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 May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 92,800; +600
  • Education & Healthcare: 80,200; +600
  • Business Services: 72,700; +400
  • Government: 66,300; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 47,000; +800
  • Financial Services: 44,000; -200
  • Manufacturing: 33,100; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 31,200; +600
  • Other Jobs: 17,900; -100
  • IT & Development: 9,700; +200
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA 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.