February data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows that seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 5,900 jobs from February 2018 to 1,980,100. This is the 12th consecutive month that seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment has added jobs over the year.
February seasonally adjusted private-sector employment increased by 5,400 jobs from February 2018 to 1,653,500. This is also the 12th consecutive month seasonally adjusted private sector employment has added jobs over the year.
“For the past twelve months, Louisiana’s economy has shown consistent over-the-year improvement as more residents feel confident in the direction our state is heading,” said Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie. “The LWC will continue its efforts until every last job-seeker in Louisiana has found a family-sustaining career, and is able to contribute to both their local community and the state.”
Industries that showed the largest gains for seasonally adjusted jobs:
— Manufacturing gained 2,000 jobs from February 2018 and 900 jobs from January.
— Education and Health Services gained 7,300 jobs from February 2018 and 400 jobs from January. The Education and Health Services sector is at an employment record which is currently totaled at 320,900.
— Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 600 jobs from February 2018 and 1,700 jobs from January.
— Mining and Logging gained 100 jobs from February 2018, but lost 100 jobs from January.
Among Louisiana’s metropolitan statistical areas, seasonally adjusted data shows:
— Alexandria lost 900 jobs from February 2018 and 100 jobs from January.
— Baton Rouge gained 2,100 jobs from February 2018 and 300 jobs from January.
— Hammond gained 100 jobs from February 2018, but lost 100 jobs from January.
— Houma lost 1,900 jobs from February 2018 and 300 jobs from January.
— Lafayette gained 3,400 jobs from February 2018 and 300 jobs from January.
— Lake Charles lost 200 jobs from February 2018, but remained unchanged from January.
— Monroe gained 400 jobs from February 2018, but lost 100 jobs from January.
— New Orleans gained 8,100 jobs from February 2018, but lost 4,200 jobs from January.
— Shreveport lost 1,000 jobs from February 2018, but gained 100 jobs from January.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent in February. This is the ninth straight month the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has not increased.
The seasonally adjusted civilian labor force, or the number of people who are employed in addition to those looking for work, increased by 1,143 from January 2019 to 2,102,555.
The seasonally adjusted number of employed individuals increased by 1,562 from January to 2,000,261. From January to February, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 419 to 102,294.
The not seasonally adjusted rate decreased from 5.2 percent to 4.4 percent from January.
Not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 15,425 from January to 92,074.
The number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 20,240 from January to 1,994,523.
February not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 5,600 jobs to 1,971,100 from February 2018. This is the 12th straight over-the-year increase for not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment. From January, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 8,900 jobs.
February not seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 4,600 jobs from February 2018. This is also the 12th straight over-the-year increase for not seasonally adjusted private sector employment. From January, not seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 4,000 jobs to 1,641,400.
February metropolitan statistical area and parish unemployment rates will be released on March 29.
