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News Release Information

24-1945-DAL
Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (972) 850-4800

Parish Employment and Wages in Louisiana – First Quarter 2024

Employment rose in four of the seven largest parishes in Louisiana from March 2023 to March 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties and parishes are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that East Baton Rouge Parish had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 3.8 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

 

National employment increased 1.3 percent over the year, with 300 of the 369 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Monterey, CA, and St. Johns, FL, had the largest over-the-year increases in employment, with gains of 4.8 percent each. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-4.9 percent).

Among the seven largest parishes in Louisiana, employment was highest in East Baton Rouge Parish (270,300) in March 2024. Within East Baton Rouge Parish’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the seven largest Louisiana parishes accounted for 56.0 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties made up 73.3 percent of total covered U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 57 parishes in Louisiana with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 52 of the 57 smaller parishes were below the national average of $1,527 in the first quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Large parish wage changes

All seven large Louisiana parishes reported average weekly wage gains from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) East Baton Rouge Parish had the largest gain (+5.4 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among Louisiana’s remaining six large parishes ranged from 3.3 percent to 1.9 percent.

 

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.2 percent over the year. Among the 369 largest counties in the United States, 357 had over-the-year wage increases. Santa Clara, CA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+14.6 percent). Saginaw, MI, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-3.4 percent).

Large parish average weekly wages

Weekly wages in all seven large parishes in Louisiana were below the national average of $1,527 in the first quarter of 2024. Orleans Parish ($1,354, 156th) had an average weekly wage ranked among the top half of counties and parishes nationwide.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the first quarter of 2024. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($4,385). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 284 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($807).

Average weekly wages in Louisiana's smaller parishes

Among the 57 smaller parishes in Louisiana—those with employment below 75,000— five parishes reported an average weekly wage above the national average. Cameron Parish ($2,862) reported the highest average weekly wage. Catahoula Parish ($710) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 64 parishes in Louisiana were considered, 8 reported average weekly wages of less than $800, 23 registered wages from $800 to $949, 11 had wages from $950 to $1,099, 9 registered wages from $1,100 to $1,249, and 13 had average weekly wages of $1,250 or higher. (See map 1.) The higher-paying parishes were concentrated around the metropolitan areas of Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans. The lowest-paid parishes, those with weekly wages under $800, were concentrated in non-metropolitan areas in the state’s northeastern quadrant.

Map 1. Average weekly wages by Parish in Louisiana, first quarter 2024

(U.S. average = $1,527)

Additional statistics and other information

QCEW data for states have been included in this release in table 3. For additional information about quarterly employment and wages data, please read the Technical Note for the County Employment and Wages News Release or visit the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website.

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. This publication is typically published in September of the following year of the reference period or shortly after the QCEW first quarter full data update.

Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

The County Employment and Wages release for the second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Changes for the 2024 County Employment and Wages News Releases

Counties and parishes with annual average employment of 75,000 or more in 2023 are included in this release and will be included in future 2024 releases. Seven counties have been added to the nationwide publication tables: Martin, FL; Sarpy, NE; Doña Ana, NM; Kent, RI; Ector, TX; Gregg, TX; and Racine, WI. No counties were dropped from the publication tables.

New Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) definitions, and those for other types of Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSA), were announced in July 2023. With the full data update for first quarter 2024 on September 4, 2024, QCEW data reflect the new definitions. Data based on the new area definitions are available in the BLS online database. Historical data will not be re-tabulated to reflect the new definitions. The announcement regarding new metropolitan statistical area delineations for 2024 provides more information regarding the new area definitions.

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the seven largest parishes in Louisiana, first quarter 2024
Area Establishments,
first quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
March 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
March
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)
First quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level (3)
Percent change,
first quarter
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)

United States (4)

12,169.0 153,585.6 1.3 -- 1,527 -- 4.2 --

Louisiana

154.5 1,904.2 0.7 -- 1,195 39 4.0 24

Caddo

7.9 107.1 -0.3 325 1,105 323 3.1 247

Calcasieu

6.0 88.1 -0.1 308 1,196 254 2.8 270

East Baton Rouge

19.1 270.3 3.8 5 1,301 187 5.4 40

Jefferson

15.9 182.2 -0.9 354 1,234 227 2.9 259

Lafayette

12.0 135.5 0.4 272 1,116 316 2.7 277

Orleans

17.1 187.2 0.2 282 1,354 156 3.3 222

St. Tammany

10.8 95.5 1.2 173 1,153 292 1.9 334

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Percent changes were computed from employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications.
(3) Ranking does not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(4) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and all parishes in Louisiana, first quarter 2024
Area Establishments Employment March 2024 Average weekly wage ($) (1)

United States (2)

12,169,000 153,585,576 1,527

Louisiana

154,477 1,904,156 1,195

Acadia

1,472 14,355 831

Allen

444 7,416 901

Ascension

3,889 51,190 1,449

Assumption

329 3,829 1,061

Avoyelles

928 9,701 772

Beauregard

853 9,084 984

Bienville

310 3,662 1,001

Bossier

3,627 43,962 998

Caddo

7,884 107,073 1,105

Calcasieu

6,040 88,100 1,196

Caldwell

233 2,238 746

Cameron

156 4,146 2,862

Catahoula

273 2,248 710

Claiborne

272 2,989 884

Concordia

489 5,310 900

De Soto

655 8,454 1,359

East Baton Rouge

19,088 270,260 1,301

East Carroll

170 1,398 841

East Feliciana

402 5,149 1,051

Evangeline

653 7,780 808

Franklin

487 4,612 715

Grant

288 3,271 1,038

Iberia

1,887 23,736 1,131

Iberville

825 16,532 1,776

Jackson

323 3,787 1,031

Jefferson

15,854 182,219 1,234

Jefferson Davis

804 8,049 840

Lafayette

11,968 135,471 1,116

Lafourche

2,206 34,517 1,280

LaSalle

464 4,658 899

Lincoln

1,511 18,468 899

Livingston

3,063 31,099 868

Madison

266 3,050 724

Morehouse

580 6,018 826

Natchitoches

1,059 14,353 843

Orleans

17,106 187,229 1,354

Ouachita

5,337 69,322 947

Plaquemines

880 11,990 1,692

Pointe Coupee

534 5,508 1,053

Rapides

4,097 55,808 999

Red River

194 2,484 976

Richland

563 6,137 814

Sabine

589 5,364 846

St. Bernard

995 10,924 1,239

St. Charles

1,431 25,100 2,127

St. Helena

135 1,645 911

St. James

472 7,661 1,590

St. John the Baptist

993 12,863 1,382

St. Landry

2,090 23,389 903

St. Martin

1,120 12,091 1,059

St. Mary

1,425 19,852 1,190

St. Tammany

10,793 95,531 1,153

Tangipahoa

3,702 47,261 880

Tensas

135 807 793

Terrebonne

3,332 47,522 1,181

Union

461 5,361 776

Vermilion

1,336 12,379 887

Vernon

1,064 12,826 913

Washington

897 11,119 858

Webster

990 11,187 927

West Baton Rouge

853 13,477 1,307

West Carroll

230 1,970 742

West Feliciana

316 4,824 1,467

Winn

347 4,381 918

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state, first quarter 2024
State Establishments,
first quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
March 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
March
2023–24
First quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level
Percent change,
first quarter
2023–24
National ranking
by percent change

United States (2)

12,169.0 153,585.6 1.3 1,527 -- 4.2 --

Alabama

160.7 2,091.9 1.6 1,201 37 3.3 44

Alaska

25.2 318.1 2.2 1,374 22 5.6 2

Arizona

229.4 3,257.0 2.9 1,372 23 3.1 46

Arkansas

104.6 1,292.8 1.4 1,171 44 4.0 24

California

1,835.8 18,053.0 1.5 1,833 5 5.5 3

Colorado

264.4 2,851.4 0.3 1,613 8 3.5 38

Connecticut

149.5 1,661.9 1.0 1,908 4 4.4 18

Delaware

43.0 469.3 1.8 1,484 15 3.7 33

District of Columbia

52.3 759.8 0.7 2,434 1 4.0 24

Florida

898.9 9,863.2 2.1 1,384 20 4.2 20

Georgia

401.4 4,843.9 1.3 1,441 17 4.7 12

Hawaii

58.6 638.8 0.6 1,278 29 4.8 10

Idaho

98.5 835.8 1.9 1,130 47 4.1 22

Illinois

410.2 5,966.9 0.3 1,608 9 2.7 50

Indiana

195.2 3,148.3 0.6 1,271 30 5.7 1

Iowa

110.8 1,543.1 0.9 1,214 36 3.2 45

Kansas

100.7 1,415.7 0.7 1,199 38 3.8 32

Kentucky

155.8 1,987.2 1.4 1,178 42 3.4 43

Louisiana

154.5 1,904.2 0.7 1,195 39 4.0 24

Maine

65.0 626.4 1.3 1,249 34 5.2 4

Maryland

198.4 2,690.0 0.8 1,591 10 4.5 16

Massachusetts

287.4 3,599.0 0.5 2,015 3 4.9 8

Michigan

338.6 4,351.0 1.0 1,352 24 3.5 38

Minnesota

210.5 2,850.4 0.2 1,519 14 4.0 24

Mississippi

89.5 1,157.2 0.2 980 51 3.6 36

Missouri

257.5 2,882.5 1.0 1,269 31 3.7 33

Montana

61.8 503.1 1.2 1,126 49 4.4 18

Nebraska

76.0 1,007.3 1.5 1,195 39 2.6 51

Nevada

112.1 1,534.4 2.4 1,304 28 4.7 12

New Hampshire

65.9 680.0 1.1 1,531 13 4.7 12

New Jersey

335.6 4,218.8 1.3 1,761 7 3.5 38

New Mexico

67.9 861.5 1.6 1,159 45 4.8 10

New York

709.5 9,537.4 1.8 2,089 2 3.5 38

North Carolina

395.7 4,871.0 1.8 1,401 18 4.0 24

North Dakota

36.1 419.9 1.6 1,261 33 3.7 33

Ohio

337.0 5,452.8 0.8 1,315 25 4.0 24

Oklahoma

132.9 1,690.0 1.7 1,152 46 4.0 24

Oregon

198.9 1,971.9 -0.3 1,377 21 3.1 46

Pennsylvania

392.0 5,967.0 1.1 1,449 16 3.0 48

Rhode Island

48.5 483.9 1.1 1,387 19 4.0 24

South Carolina

184.6 2,265.9 2.1 1,194 41 4.9 8

South Dakota

39.9 449.7 2.0 1,129 48 4.2 20

Tennessee

230.1 3,261.3 1.9 1,311 27 3.5 38

Texas

839.6 13,826.9 1.7 1,540 12 4.1 22

Utah

135.7 1,699.6 1.9 1,313 26 5.2 4

Vermont

32.8 307.3 0.6 1,232 35 3.6 36

Virginia

318.3 4,072.6 1.6 1,554 11 5.2 4

Washington

224.3 3,577.3 1.3 1,815 6 5.1 7

West Virginia

60.8 694.0 1.6 1,110 50 4.6 15

Wisconsin

206.0 2,899.1 0.6 1,263 32 4.5 16

Wyoming

30.8 274.1 1.1 1,177 43 2.8 49

Puerto Rico

54.7 952.8 1.6 677 (3) 4.8 (3)

Virgin Islands

3.9 36.5 0.9 996 (3) 1.6 (3)

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(3) Data not included in the national ranking.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

 

Last Modified Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024