The latest analysis shows healthcare and energy sectors thriving as new economic opportunities emerge
Category: Business
In a comprehensive analysis of the workforce in Southeast Louisiana, Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and Bank of America have unveiled the 2025 Greater New Orleans Jobs Report. This seventh annual edition provides a detailed overview of the region’s labor market, identifying high-demand occupations and key areas of industry growth. The report serves as a foundational resource for aligning education, training, and economic development efforts across the area.
Michael Hecht, president and CEO of GNO, Inc., emphasized the region is entering a new chapter, stating, "The labor market in Greater New Orleans is starting a new chapter where the energy industry is booming, the Louisiana International Terminal is on the verge of reshaping local logistics, and healthcare remains the backbone of the regional workforce." He highlighted the importance of aligning educational pathways with job opportunities to meet the growing demand.
The report introduces updated wage thresholds based on MIT’s 2025 Living Wage for Greater New Orleans. It sets the floor for Top Jobs at $24.60 per hour and categorizes On-Ramp Jobs, which provide accessible entry points into career pathways, between $18.45 and $24.60 per hour. This update reflects a commitment to ensuring that job opportunities are available and sustainable for workers in the region.
One of the notable methodological updates in this year’s report is the expansion of criteria to include select declining occupations. These are roles with at least 500 current jobs that have experienced no more than a 25% decline over the past decade. This recognition is important, as many foundational roles in logistics, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and business operations remain integral to the regional economy, even in the face of modest long-term contraction.
Key insights from the report reveal a stabilizing labor market in Greater New Orleans. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.4% in 2025, unchanged from the previous year and slightly below the national rate of 4.5%. Average weekly wages have also seen a notable increase, rising to $1,430, which marks a 41% gain since 2019. This growth in wages indicates a positive trend in income across the region, which is encouraging for both workers and employers.
Healthcare continues to be the largest employer in the region, boasting over 86,000 jobs and a growth rate of 15% over the past decade. This sector’s stability is a key component of the local economy, providing numerous job opportunities and supporting a wide range of services. Meanwhile, the digital media sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing industries, adding more than 1,300 jobs, or 25%, since 2015. This growth is largely driven by advancements in software development, data infrastructure, and digital services.
On the other hand, the energy sector, which has historically offered the highest wages, averaging nearly $199,000 annually, is undergoing structural changes. The report notes a transition toward an “all-of-the-above” strategy that includes liquefied natural gas (LNG), carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and renewable energy. This evolution presents both challenges and opportunities for the workforce as the industry adapts to new technologies and market demands.
The Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) is highlighted in the report as a major long-term economic driver. The LIT is expected to significantly expand trade and logistics capacity, thereby strengthening supply chains and creating new opportunities across advanced manufacturing and related sectors. This generational investment is anticipated to have a lasting impact on the region’s economic development.
As GNO, Inc. and its partners look ahead, they plan to utilize the findings from this report to guide workforce initiatives, public policy decisions, educational programming, and private investment. The goal is to build a more resilient, equitable, and opportunity-rich region that can adapt to changing economic landscapes.
In addition to the insights provided, the report offers an interactive dashboard available at gnoinc.org/jobsreport, which allows users to explore job data filtered by industry, wage, education level, and more. This tool is invaluable for educators, policymakers, workforce training providers, and employers, as it helps them align talent pipelines with market needs.
Jonathan Matessino, New Orleans/Baton Rouge president for Bank of America, expressed pride in the partnership with GNO, Inc., stating, "This year’s Jobs Report gives educators, employers, and policymakers a sharper, more complete picture of where real workforce demand exists, so they can deploy resources where they’ll have the greatest impact." He emphasized that the report highlights growth areas and points to where the region’s economic foundation relies on a strong talent pipeline.
As the Greater New Orleans workforce continues to evolve, the 2025 Jobs Report serves as a key resource for stakeholders striving to meet the demands of a changing economy. With its focus on aligning education and training with workforce needs, the report aims to bridge the gap between job opportunities and the skills required to fill them, ensuring a prosperous future for the region.
In the coming year, GNO, Inc. and its partners will leverage this data to influence public policy, business development, and educational programming. By doing so, they hope to cultivate a workforce that not only meets current demands but is also prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.