Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 2,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market declined by 9,651 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.7%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 16 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 120 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 5.1% 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 January 2023

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 109,600; -2,600
  • Education & Healthcare: 107,500; -500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 78,800; -900
  • Business Services: 76,400; no change
  • Government: 67,700; -900
  • Construction, Mining: 31,500; -400
  • Financial Services: 29,400; +600
  • Manufacturing: 29,200; -800
  • Other Jobs: 22,800; -100
  • IT & Development: 9,000; -200
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.