Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Construction, Mining, which lost 1,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.

Total employment in the Baton Rouge, LA market rose by 1,230 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 5 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Baton Rouge, LA unemployment rate is 32 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 180 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in July versus prior month by -0.4% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Baton Rouge, LA Unemployment July 2022

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 69,600; +300
  • Government: 67,700; -900
  • Education & Healthcare: 55,800; +1,100
  • Business Services: 52,100; +1,000
  • Construction, Mining: 40,300; -1,700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 39,700; +800
  • Manufacturing: 30,000; +200
  • Financial Services: 17,900; no change
  • Other Jobs: 16,200; +100
  • IT & Development: 5,400; no change
Baton Rouge, LA Unemployment by Industry July 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on September 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.