Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 4.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA market rose by 43 jobs in May and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • New Orleans-Metairie, LA unemployment rate is 72 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 290 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 2.2% 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 May 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 103,800; -800
  • Education & Healthcare: 103,700; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 80,400; +3,100
  • Business Services: 76,400; +400
  • Government: 66,900; -300
  • Construction, Mining: 32,700; -500
  • Manufacturing: 28,700; +400
  • Financial Services: 28,300; no change
  • Other Jobs: 21,600; -300
  • IT & Development: 8,800; no change
New Orleans-Metairie, LA Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.