Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 2.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.

Total employment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market rose by 3,098 jobs in February and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 139 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 2.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Unemployment February 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 92,700; -300
  • Education & Healthcare: 82,100; +100
  • Business Services: 71,100; +200
  • Government: 67,300; +900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 48,700; +1,100
  • Financial Services: 41,000; -200
  • Manufacturing: 34,900; +500
  • Construction, Mining: 30,300; no change
  • Other Jobs: 19,100; -200
  • IT & Development: 10,200; no change
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Unemployment by Industry February 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.