La. Adds More than 75,000 Nonfarm Jobs Since October 2005

Since October 2005, 75,700 new workers have joined Louisiana’s workforce, according to the October 2006 nonfarm employment estimates released recently by the Louisiana Department of Labor.

“Louisiana’s nonfarm workforce has grown from its lowest level of 1,718,900 in October 2005, after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to 1,794,600 in October 2006. Louisiana is continuing to come back as residents repair and rebuild their homes and employers continue to reestablish and expand their businesses,” Louisiana Secretary of Labor John Warner Smith said.

The unemployment rate for October 2006 increased slightly to 4.2 percent from the September rate of 3.7 percent. The state’s rate was still below the October national unemployment rate of 4.4 percent. The state’s civilian labor force for October 2006 increased to 1,870,152, from 1,859,347, in September. The number of employed in October increased to 1,791,470, from 1,790,744 in September. Louisiana’s unemployed for October increased to 78,682, from 68,603 in September as additional individuals entered the labor force to look for work.

Unadjusted unemployment rates compare parishes and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) to the state. The October 2006 unadjusted unemployment rate for Louisiana was 3.9 percent, up from the September rate of 3.7 percent.

The unemployment rates for the MSAs were: Alexandria, 3.5 percent, up from 3.2 percent in September; Baton Rouge, 3.6 up from 3.4; Houma, 2.9, up from 2.7; Lafayette, 2.8, up from 2.6; Lake Charles, 3.4, up from 3.1; Monroe, 3.9, up from 3.5; New Orleans, 4.8, up from 4.6; and Shreveport-Bossier City, 3.9, up from 3.5 percent last month. Cameron and Lafayette Parishes had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent in October, while East Carroll Parish had the highest rate at 7.2 percent.

Preliminary seasonally adjusted statewide total nonfarm employment for October 2006 was 1,794,600 compared to 1,793,900 for the revised September 2006 figure, for an increase of 700 workers.

The sector breakdown was as follows: natural resources and mining, 48,900 employed in October, up from 48,600 employed in September; construction, 111,500, down from 112,300; manufacturing, 147,000, up from 146,900; trade, transportation, and utilities, 366,800, down from 367,800; information, 28,200, down from 28,300; financial activities, 96,000, up from 95,800; professional and business services, 175,600, up from 174,900; educational and health services, 215,900, up from 214,400; leisure and hospitality, 178,300, up from 176,400; other services, 60,600, up from 59,500; and government, 365,800, down from 369,000.

For more detailed information on the October 2006 employment data for Louisiana, visit www.LAWORKS.net, scroll over the tab at the top of the page for Labor Market Information, click on Publications & Reports, and select LMI Bulletin.