Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 1.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 1,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market rose by 4,653 jobs in October and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 256 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 190 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 6.2% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 94,300; +1,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 80,200; +500
  • Business Services: 72,700; +600
  • Government: 66,500; +1,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 50,300; +600
  • Financial Services: 44,700; +1,200
  • Manufacturing: 33,900; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 30,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 18,900; +100
  • IT & Development: 9,900; no change
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA 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.