Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 2.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 3,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market declined by 7,507 jobs in January and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 136 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 40 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 4% and are up 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.8%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 92,700; -3,800
  • Education & Healthcare: 82,300; +200
  • Business Services: 70,800; -1,100
  • Government: 66,100; -900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 47,700; -1,300
  • Financial Services: 41,400; -600
  • Manufacturing: 34,600; -400
  • Construction, Mining: 30,500; -1,300
  • Other Jobs: 19,300; no change
  • IT & Development: 10,200; no change
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.