Overall unemployment rate moved down to 1.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 4,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market rose by 2,346 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 1.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 239 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 November versus prior month by 4.1% 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 November 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 98,700; +4,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 80,700; +500
  • Business Services: 73,800; +800
  • Government: 66,600; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 48,600; -2,000
  • Financial Services: 44,100; no change
  • Manufacturing: 33,500; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 30,200; -700
  • Other Jobs: 18,800; -100
  • IT & Development: 9,800; -100
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA 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.