Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 3,342 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 22 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 30 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 4.3% 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 108,700; -300
  • Transportation & Utilities: 108,200; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 79,600; +200
  • Business Services: 76,800; +900
  • Government: 67,800; -600
  • Construction, Mining: 32,100; -100
  • Manufacturing: 29,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 29,000; +100
  • Other Jobs: 23,200; +400
  • IT & Development: 9,000; -200
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.