Preliminary data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows that Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.7 percentage points from 5% in July 2018 to 4.3% in July. This is the fourth consecutive month that Louisiana has maintained full employment for its residents.
“The past four months of Louisiana maintaining full employment is a testament to Governor John Bel Edwards’ workforce priorities that have placed Louisiana on this path to prosperity so that more Louisiana residents have been able to find work,” said LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie. “Even with Louisiana’s economy breaking records in both its gross domestic product and personal income figures, the LWC will remain vigilant and ready to assist all those in search of work, find a career and contribute to Louisiana’s economy.”
The number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 14,684 from 104,955 in July 2018 to 90,271 in July. When compared to June, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals has declined by 221. The number of seasonally adjusted employed individuals has increased by 8,048 from 1,997,462 in July 2018 to 2,005,510 in July.
Since July 2018, seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 1,100 jobs from 1,654,000 to 1,655,100 in July. This is the 17th straight month that seasonally adjusted private sector employment has added jobs over the year. Since June 2019, seasonally adjusted private sector employment has increased by 100 jobs.
Industries that showed the largest gains for seasonally adjusted jobs:
— Education and Health Services gained 8,700 jobs from July 2018 and 200 jobs from June 2019. The Education and Health Services sector is at an all-time record high for employment at 323,800 jobs.
— Professional and Business services gained 2,500 jobs from July 2018 and 2,300 jobs from June 2019.
— Other Services, which includes industries engaged in activities such as equipment and machinery repair services, gained 1,600 jobs from July 2018 and 900 jobs from June 2019.
— The Health Care and Social Assistance subsector gained 7,900 jobs from July 2018 and 600 jobs from June 2019. The Health Care and Social Assistance subsector is at record employment with 276,600 jobs.
Among Louisiana’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas, seasonally adjusted data shows:
— Alexandria lost 100 jobs from July 2018, but remained unchanged from June.
— Baton Rouge lost 1,900 jobs from July 2018 and 1,100 jobs from June.
— Hammond lost 100 jobs from July 2018 and 100 jobs from June.
— Houma lost 2,900 jobs from July 2018 and 100 jobs from June.
— Lafayette gained 1,800 jobs from July 2018 and 100 jobs from June.
— Lake Charles gained 1,000 jobs from July 2018, but lost 100 jobs from June.
— Monroe lost 500 jobs from July 2018 and 300 jobs from June.
— New Orleans gained 8,200 jobs from July 2018 and 100 jobs from June.
— Shreveport lost 3,100 jobs from July 2018 and 200 jobs from June.