While Louisiana’s private and nonfarm employment grew from March to April, it wasn’t enough to see a decrease in the state’s unemployment rate, which remained at 6.6%
According to seasonally adjusted data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana’s total civilian labor force—which includes the number of people employed plus those looking for work—grew over the month to a record 2,210,646. That’s an increase of 5,552 over the month and 83,455 over the year, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
The number of people looking for work in April increased slightly over the month to 145,847, which is also 25,390 more people than were looking for work in April last year.
“Louisiana experienced reasonable job growth and a strong labor force growth, even though April is usually a quiet month for the state,” says LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink in a prepared statement.
Professional and business services had the largest job growth from March to April, with 1,800 new jobs added. Trade, transportation and utilities added 1,500 jobs, while construction and information added 1,000 jobs each.
Mining and logging, which includes oil and gas, declined by 1,100 jobs over the month and 5,000 jobs over the year.
“We’re continuing to feel the effects of lower oil prices,” says Eysink. “Because of that, we’re also watching the construction industry closely, and construction continues to grow. Work is continuing on industrial expansions and relocations in Louisiana.”
BLS announced today that unemployment rates fell in 23 U.S. states in April compared to March as hiring rebounded nationwide. Eleven states reported higher unemployment rates than in March, while 16 states saw no change.
Nationwide, employers added a healthy 223,000 jobs in April, lowering the unemployment rate to a seven-year low of 5.4%. Nevada had the highest unemployment rate last month at 7.1%, while Nebraska had the lowest at 2.5%.
