How many jobs were lost in New Orleans, LA area last month?
Updated Apr. 14, 2026Refreshed annually
It lost 1,100 jobs in January 2026. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the New Orleans-Metairie, LA Metro Area has averaged about 485 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
-1.1K
month to month change in number of jobs (January 2026)
The New Orleans, LA area job loss of 1,100 in January 2026 was smaller than the 1,600 jobs lost in December 2025.
During the latest five-year period (February 2021 to January 2026), the New Orleans, LA area gained jobs in 37 out of 60 months. January 2026 had the ninth-highest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in October 2021 (21,100) while job growth was weakest in September 2021 (-28,900).
There were 1,100 fewer jobs in January 2026 in New Orleans, LA area
Monthly change in nonfarm employment in the New Orleans, LA area
How does the New Orleans, LA area job growth in 2025 compare to previous years?
In 2026, the New Orleans, LA area has lost an average of 567 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2025 average monthly decrease of 550, and the lowest since 2020. The 2026 average ranks as third-worst in job growth since 2020.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 8,800 every month in 2009 to a gain of 22,900 every month in 2007.
In 2025, the New Orleans, LA area lost an average of 550 jobs every month.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs in the New Orleans, LA area, seasonally adjusted
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
