Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 1,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 4,521 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 39 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 65 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 180 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 5.2% 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 March 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.2%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 105,300; -600
  • Education & Healthcare: 103,400; +500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 76,400; -1,500
  • Business Services: 76,100; no change
  • Government: 67,300; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 34,000; +700
  • Manufacturing: 28,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 28,600; +100
  • Other Jobs: 21,400; +100
  • IT & Development: 8,800; no change
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry March 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 27, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.