2024 Jobs Report

For years, Greater New Orleans has strategically focused on five key industry clusters—Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Media, Energy, Healthcare, and Trade & Logistics. These sectors have historically served as economic drivers, providing high-quality jobs and fostering regional growth.

As we look ahead, these legacy clusters offer a foundation upon which the region can build, evolve, and adapt to emerging economic trends and technological advancements.

Click through the tabs for an analysis of each cluster, outlining historical performance, challenges, opportunities, and insights for stakeholders.

A Hub for Innovation and Resilience

Greater New Orleans has a long history of industrial expertise, particularly in shipbuilding, aerospace, and precision manufacturing. Although the sector saw a 5.2% decline in employment from 2014 to 2024, it remains a critical part of the region’s economy, contributing $2.1 billion in Gross Regional Product (GRP). Despite workforce contraction, the sector’s stability and high wages (average earnings of $105,875 per year) highlight its continued importance.

Key Insights & Takeaways: 

• Major Employers: Lockheed Martin, Intralox, Pellerin Milnor Corporation, Kongsberg Maritime

• Strengths: Skilled workforce, established supply chains, and strong ties to aerospace and defense

• Challenges: Declining job numbers and competition from global manufacturing centers; decline in available jobs potentially due to automation

• Opportunities for Growth: Expansion of automation, new investments in sustainable manufacturing, and integration with logistics hubs for supply chain efficiency

A Thriving Tech and Creative Economy

The Digital Media sector in Greater New Orleans has seen remarkable growth, with employment increasing by 51.8% from 2014 to 2024, outpacing the national average. This growth has been fueled by a dynamic mix of startups, gaming studios, software development firms, and digital content creators. Despite wages being 64% below the national average, the industry continues to attract talent due to the region’s affordability and creative culture.

Key Insights & Takeaways: 

• Major Employers: Cint, Procore, Barrister Global Services, Ardent Services

• Strengths: Strong incentives for tech companies, an expanding talent pipeline, and a culture of innovation

• Challenges: Wage disparities compared to national averages and competition from established tech hubs

• Opportunities for Growth: Development of more high-wage tech jobs, enhanced workforce training programs, and increased venture capital investment in startups

A Sector in Transition

Greater New Orleans has historically been an energy powerhouse, particularly in oil, gas, and petrochemicals. However, the sector has faced headwinds, with employment declining by 29.8% over the past decade, reflecting broader shifts in the global energy market. Despite this decline, the industry remains a significant economic contributor, generating $18.1 billion in GRP, and is undergoing a transformation toward cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.

Key Insights & Takeaways: 

• Major Employers: Entergy, Hornbeck Offshore Services, Wartsila North America, CenTrio Energy

• Strengths: Extensive energy infrastructure, skilled workforce, and strong legacy in oil & gas

• Challenges: Job losses due to automation and the global shift toward renewables

• Opportunities for Growth: Expansion into offshore wind, carbon capture, and hydrogen energy; leveraging Louisiana’s energy expertise for a lower-carbon future

A Rapidly Expanding Industry

Healthcare has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors in Greater New Orleans, with a 16.2% job growth rate from 2014 to 2024. The industry now employs over 84,000 workers and contributes $9 billion to the regional economy. As demand for medical services increases due to an aging population and advances in healthcare technology, the sector is poised for continued expansion.

Key Insights & Takeaways: 

• Major Employers: Ochsner Health, LCMC Health, University Medical Center, West Jefferson Medical Center

• Strengths: World-class medical institutions, growing biotech sector, and strong research initiatives

• Challenges: Workforce shortages in nursing and specialized medical fields

• Opportunities for Growth: Expansion of telemedicine and biotech research, workforce training programs, and the development of medical tourism initiatives

A Global Gateway for Commerce

Greater New Orleans is a critical hub for trade and logistics, leveraging its strategic port infrastructure, intermodal transportation networks, and growing air cargo capacity. While employment in the sector declined slightly (-1.7%) over the past decade , it remains a $708.9 million industry vital to global commerce. The Port of New Orleans, the Louis Armstrong International Airport, and extensive rail connections make the region a premier logistics center.

Key Insights & Takeaways: 

• Major Employers: Port of New Orleans, KLLM Transport, Schneider National, Coastal Gulf & International Inc.

• Strengths: Unmatched access to domestic and international markets, extensive transportation infrastructure

• Challenges: Workforce constraints, automation trends reducing job demand, and competition from other U.S. ports

• Opportunities for Growth: Investments in port expansion (Louisiana International Terminal), integration of AI and automation in logistics, and leveraging new trade policies for economic advantage

While these legacy clusters have provided a strong economic foundation, Greater New Orleans must continue evolving to remain competitive. Opportunities lie in diversifying energy sources, increasing high-tech manufacturing, fostering digital innovation, expanding healthcare services, and modernizing trade and logistics infrastructure. Strategic investments, workforce development, and policy support will be essential to ensuring these industries remain vital to the region’s long-term prosperity.