Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.2% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market declined by 5,914 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 4.2%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 41 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 210 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 2.3% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 106,200; +1,500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 103,600; -1,000
  • Business Services: 81,300; +1,400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 77,300; -500
  • Government: 65,400; +600
  • Construction, Mining: 33,700; -100
  • Manufacturing: 29,600; -300
  • Financial Services: 28,400; +100
  • Other Jobs: 22,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 8,500; no change
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.