Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.0% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 3,371 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 5.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 5 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 122 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 July versus prior month by 2.3% 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 July 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 104,900; +500
  • Education & Healthcare: 103,300; +1,000
  • Business Services: 79,200; +2,000
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 77,900; -200
  • Government: 64,800; -600
  • Construction, Mining: 33,700; +300
  • Manufacturing: 29,900; +200
  • Financial Services: 28,200; +100
  • Other Jobs: 21,900; +200
  • IT & Development: 8,600; no change
New Orleans-Metairie, 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.