Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.2% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA market rose by 6,785 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA unemployment rate is 142 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 3% 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 92,700; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 83,000; +300
  • Business Services: 72,000; +300
  • Government: 67,700; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 50,400; +1,000
  • Financial Services: 41,100; +300
  • Manufacturing: 35,100; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 31,200; +900
  • Other Jobs: 19,300; +200
  • IT & Development: 10,200; no change
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA 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.