Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 6,263 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 29 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 90 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 4.9% 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 February 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.9% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 109,200; +1,600
  • Transportation & Utilities: 108,400; -300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 79,600; +1,900
  • Business Services: 76,600; +300
  • Government: 68,500; +700
  • Construction, Mining: 32,300; +800
  • Manufacturing: 29,700; +200
  • Financial Services: 29,000; no change
  • Other Jobs: 22,600; -200
  • IT & Development: 9,100; +100
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry February 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.