David Jacobs
The Center Square
Louisiana added 10,100 jobs from August to September, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
The LWC report released Friday relies on employment statistics that have not been adjusted to account for seasonal fluctuations in the labor market.
Nonfarm employment increased by 9,200 jobs from 1,980,200 in September 2018 to 1,989,400 jobs in September 2019, while private sector employment increased by 10,600 jobs from 1,652,100 to 1,662,700 over the same time period, the Workforce Commission says. “Nonfarm employment” excludes farms, government, private households and nonprofit organizations serving individuals.
Louisiana’s unemployment rate decreased 0.4 percentage points year-over-year, from 4.9 percent in September 2018 to 4.5 percent September 2019.
The civilian labor force, or the number of people who are employed in addition to those looking for work, increased by 1,960 from 2,093,336 in September 2018 to 2,095,296 in September 2019. From August 2019, Louisiana’s civilian labor force increased by 5,347, the LWC says.
All nine metropolitan areas saw a year-over-year decrease in their not seasonally adjusted unemployment for the seventh month in a row.
Alexandria: 5 percent in September, down from 5.4 percent in August and 5.4 percent in September 2018.
Baton Rouge: 4.2 percent, down from 4.5 percent in August and 4.4 percent in September 2018.
Hammond: 5.1 percent, down from 5.5 percent in August and 5.5 percent in September 2018.
Houma: 4.4 percent, down from 4.6 percent in August and 4.9 percent in September 2018.
Lafayette: 4.5 percent, down from 4.7 percent in August and 4.9 percent in September 2018.
Lake Charles: 3.7 percent, down from 4.0 percent in August and 3.8 percent in September 2018.
Monroe: 5.1 percent, down from 5.4 percent in August and 5.3 percent in September 2018.
New Orleans: 4.2 percent, down from 4.5 percent in August and 4.8 percent in September 2018.
Shreveport: 4.9 percent, down from 5.2 percent in August and 5.2 percent in September 2018.