New Orleans Employment

Employment and Industries in the New Orleans, Louisiana Area

New Orleans includes one of the worlds's busiest ports and is also a prominent maritime industry center. The region is also a major center of oil refining and petrochemical production. New Orleans is home to the regional headquarters of several major energy companies including Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell and ENI. The city also includes the headquarters of other energy producing companies and oil services firms. The energy sector supports numerous engineering and design firms. The offshore and onshore petroleum and natural gas production sector provides numerous white collar jobs.

The Federal Government is a significant employer in the area. The New Orleans region is home to NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility, the National Finance Center, the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Command and the U.S. Fifth Court of Appeals.

Aerospace manufacturing is an important part of the economy. Martin Marietta manufactures aerospace components for NASA. New Orleans also includes a globally competitive manufacturing industry. Also, some of the top private employers are shipbuilding companies. Other prominent elements of the economy are higher education, the large healthcare industry, the prominent tourism industry, and research and technology.

The School-to-Career Initiative, which is managed by Greater New Orleans Inc., has organized local companies into industry clusters in fields such as architecture, design, engineering and construction; financial services, culinary arts, law-related careers, hospitality and tourism, information technology, petrochemical and healthcare. The program offers teacher and student shadowing opportunities and internships. The School-to-Career Initiative is focused on producing quality employees for the region.

The following is a list of New Orleans' top private employers:

  • Schwegmann Bros. Giant Supermarket
  • Hibernia Corp
  • First Commerce Corp., of Louisiana
  • South Central Bell
  • Shell Oil Company
  • Martin Marietta
  • Exxon Corporation
  • Whitney National Bank
  • Union Carbide Corp
  • Ruth's Chris Steak House
  • Hilton Hotels
  • Pan American Life Insurance
  • Pool Corp
  • Rolls-Royce
  • AT&T
  • Newpark Resources
  • Turbo Squid
  • IBM
  • Superior Energy Services
  • Navtech
  • Textron Marine & Land Systems
  • McDermott International
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Harrah's Entertainment
  • Stewart Enterprises

The primary employment sectors in New Orleans are provided below:

  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Government
  • Educational and health services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Professional and business services
  • Finance
  • Manufacturing

Noteworthy information about New Orleans, Louisiana: In 2008 the cost of living index for the city was 93.8. The nation's average is 100. About 26% of the adult residents have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

Companies located in New Orleans are invited to work with useful associations including:

People interested in local business and industry news can read New Orleans City Business

Jobs in New Orleans

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations557190$46,700$22.45100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations71220$37,160$17.8713.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations68030$22,470$10.818.7
4Sales and Related Occupations58260$36,750$17.679.5
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations47990$39,480$18.986.7
6Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations39820$72,080$34.655.85
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations33780$48,880$23.56
8Management Occupations28700$107,500$51.686.35
9Business and Financial Operations Occupations24350$67,660$32.535.35
10Production Occupations24210$47,030$22.615.6
11Construction and Extraction Occupations23630$45,970$22.14.6
12Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations23220$48,060$23.113.75
13Healthcare Support Occupations20080$26,390$12.692.85
14Protective Service Occupations18640$38,990$18.742.2
15Retail Salespersons18400$26,030$12.512.7
16Cashiers16990$21,100$10.142.2
17Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations16470$25,400$12.213.6
18Waiters and Waitresses14920$19,580$9.411.65
19Registered Nurses14050$69,500$33.411.95
20Personal Care and Service Occupations13690$25,950$12.484.65
21Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand11200$29,690$14.281.8
22Fast Food and Counter Workers11070$20,740$9.972.45
23Architecture and Engineering Occupations9810$91,550$44.011.7
24Food Preparation Workers9500$19,170$9.220.5
25General and Operations Managers8830$125,040$60.121.5
26Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations8720$48,450$23.31.8
27Cooks, Restaurant8650$24,870$11.960.9
28Office Clerks, General8350$26,320$12.651.9
29Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive8340$35,600$17.121.4
30Security Guards8020$31,140$14.970.7
31Community and Social Service Occupations7700$46,040$22.141.75
32Computer and Mathematical Occupations7310$75,370$36.243
33Stockers and Order Fillers7170$25,990$12.51.25
34First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers7110$51,720$24.870.95
35Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products6830$68,040$32.710.85
36Legal Occupations6790$94,750$45.550.8
37Customer Service Representatives6730$33,990$16.341.75
38Home Health and Personal Care Aides6510$20,470$9.840
39Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners6190$23,850$11.471.5
40Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other6040$68,700$33.030.7
41Maintenance and Repair Workers, General5910$38,040$18.290.9
42First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers5870$35,600$17.120.6
43Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners5850$22,450$10.790.9
44Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks5120$38,520$18.521.05
45Receptionists and Information Clerks4980$26,710$12.840.7
46Nursing Assistants4900$24,900$11.970.95
47Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants4720$49,460$23.780.35
48First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers4650$42,500$20.430.95
49Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers4440$45,270$21.771.2
50Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations4330$70,610$33.950.8
51Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other4050$92,280$44.370.7
52Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses3910$44,030$21.170.5
53Accountants and Auditors3860$69,900$33.610.9
54Lawyers3780$123,490$59.370.5
55Light Truck Drivers3490$38,180$18.360.6
56Bartenders3470$19,910$9.570.4
57Sailors and Marine Oilers3390$42,900$20.630
58Construction Laborers3360$32,550$15.650.9
59Carpenters3220$44,030$21.170.6
60Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers3190$47,160$22.670.4
61Dishwashers2810$20,720$9.960.3
62Medical Assistants2790$31,220$15.010.45
63Electricians2680$52,800$25.380.45
64Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel2470$57,800$27.790.7
65Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers2400$26,410$12.70.75
66Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels2380$122,010$58.660
67First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers2330$65,570$31.530.4
68Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers2300$19,260$9.260.3
69First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers2280$73,680$35.420.4
70Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters2220$53,190$25.570.3
71Paralegals and Legal Assistants2200$57,570$27.680.2
72Production Workers, All Other2200$37,320$17.940.15
73Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop2160$21,340$10.260.3
74Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics2150$42,010$20.20.5
75Billing and Posting Clerks2090$37,270$17.920.3
76First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors2090$56,640$27.230.3
77Financial Managers2030$110,260$53.010.4
78First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers2000$71,470$34.360.3
79Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers2000$28,460$13.680.1
80Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators1930$38,410$18.470.4
81Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other1930$40,670$19.550
82Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric1890$181,380$87.20.3
83Firefighters1880$30,900$14.860.2
84Childcare Workers1850$20,470$9.840.7
85Computer Occupations, All Other1850$75,460$36.280.3
86Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers1840$52,030$25.010.3
87Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks1830$26,380$12.680.15
88Dental Assistants1800$34,370$16.530.2
89Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers1800$67,340$32.370
90Pharmacy Technicians1790$34,440$16.560.3
91Chemical Plant and System Operators1750$66,290$31.870
92Engineers, All Other1740$103,210$49.620.1
93Industrial Machinery Mechanics1720$58,120$27.940.2
94Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1710$30,770$14.790.4
95Food Servers, Nonrestaurant1700$22,400$10.770.2
96Insurance Sales Agents1690$64,410$30.970.3
97Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers1670$50,000$24.040.35
98Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1630$45,020$21.640.2
99Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants1560$45,580$21.910.1
100Pharmacists1550$119,260$57.340.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

New Orleans Colleges
New Orleans colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near New Orleans Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,700557,190
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$37,16071,220
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$22,47068,030
Sales and Related Occupations$36,75058,260
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$39,48047,990
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$72,08039,820
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$48,88033,780
Management Occupations$107,50028,700
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,66024,350
Production Occupations$47,03024,210
Construction and Extraction Occupations$45,97023,630
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$48,06023,220
Healthcare Support Occupations$26,39020,080
Protective Service Occupations$38,99018,640
Retail Salespersons$26,03018,400
Cashiers$21,10016,990
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,40016,470
Waiters and Waitresses$19,58014,920
Registered Nurses$69,50014,050
Personal Care and Service Occupations$25,95013,690
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,69011,200
Fast Food and Counter Workers$20,74011,070
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,5509,810
Food Preparation Workers$19,1709,500
General and Operations Managers$125,0408,830
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,4508,720
Cooks, Restaurant$24,8708,650
Office Clerks, General$26,3208,350
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,6008,340
Security Guards$31,1408,020
Community and Social Service Occupations$46,0407,700
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,3707,310
Stockers and Order Fillers$25,9907,170
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,7207,110
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,0406,830
Legal Occupations$94,7506,790
Customer Service Representatives$33,9906,730
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$20,4706,510
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$23,8506,190
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$68,7006,040
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$38,0405,910
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,6005,870
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$22,4505,850
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$38,5205,120
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,7104,980
Nursing Assistants$24,9004,900
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$49,4604,720
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$42,5004,650
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$45,2704,440
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$70,6104,330

Work Paying Relatively Well in the New Orleans, Louisiana Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,700557,190
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$37,16071,220
Sales and Related Occupations$36,75058,260
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$39,48047,990
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$72,08039,820
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$48,88033,780
Management Occupations$107,50028,700
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,66024,350
Production Occupations$47,03024,210
Construction and Extraction Occupations$45,97023,630
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$48,06023,220
Healthcare Support Occupations$26,39020,080
Protective Service Occupations$38,99018,640
Retail Salespersons$26,03018,400
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,40016,470
Registered Nurses$69,50014,050
Personal Care and Service Occupations$25,95013,690
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,69011,200
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,5509,810
General and Operations Managers$125,0408,830
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,4508,720
Office Clerks, General$26,3208,350
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,6008,340
Security Guards$31,1408,020
Community and Social Service Occupations$46,0407,700
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,3707,310
Stockers and Order Fillers$25,9907,170
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,7207,110
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,0406,830
Legal Occupations$94,7506,790
Customer Service Representatives$33,9906,730
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$68,7006,040
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$38,0405,910
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,6005,870
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$38,5205,120
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,7104,980
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$49,4604,720
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$42,5004,650
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$45,2704,440
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$70,6104,330
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other$92,2804,050
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$44,0303,910
Accountants and Auditors$69,9003,860
Lawyers$123,4903,780
Light Truck Drivers$38,1803,490
Sailors and Marine Oilers$42,9003,390
Construction Laborers$32,5503,360
Carpenters$44,0303,220
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,1603,190
Medical Assistants$31,2202,790

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