Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.9% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 2,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2022.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 325 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.9%. The national unemployment rate increased by 74 bps over the same time to 4.4%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 47 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 420 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 0.6% and are down 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 January 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.0%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 105,600; -2,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 100,200; -1,000
  • Business Services: 78,100; +500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 75,400; +300
  • Government: 66,500; -1,300
  • Construction, Mining: 32,000; -1,100
  • Manufacturing: 28,700; +200
  • Financial Services: 28,300; -600
  • Other Jobs: 21,300; -200
  • IT & Development: 8,600; -200
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry January 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2022 (Data published March 2022 and reports created on March 18, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.