Employment, labor force rise for third straight month

Employment in Louisiana and the size of the state’s civilian labor force surged in March for a third straight month, according to seasonally-adjusted data released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The state’s unemployment rate for March was 6.1 percent, up slightly from 5.9 percent in February but down from 6.6 percent in March 2015. The rise in the unemployment rate was largely attributable to the increase in the state’s civilian labor force — the number of people employed and unemployed but seeking a job, at news release from the Louisiana Workforce Commission stated.
The BLS report showed the number of people holding jobs grew by 7,946 to 2,026,645 – the second largest over-the-month increase for the month of March in the series.
The civilian labor force added 12,402 people during the month to stand at 2,158,584. The spike was the largest over-the-month increase for the month of March since the current employment reporting series began in 1976.
“Our state is off to an encouraging start early in 2016,” said Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie. “It is clear there is growing confidence in the economy as people are seeking and finding jobs.”
The state’s two largest metropolitan statistical areas also showed job gains in March. The Baton Rouge region gained 3,100 jobs over the month. The state capital region has added 11,000 jobs over the year. New Orleans added 1,100 jobs for the month and gained 1,400 over the year.
Statewide, construction employment posted its largest over-the-month increase since 2004, and its largest over-the-year increase since 2006, when the post-Hurricane Katrina construction boom was underway.
Nonfarm employment in March totaled 1,978,100, down 100 from February and 13,200 from a year ago. Employment inthe mining and logging sector, which includes oil and gas, lost 500 jobs over the month and is down 10,500 over the year.
Private-sector employment added 1,000 jobs over the month, but lost 10,800 over the year. Government employment lost 1,100 jobs in March and 2,400 over the year. Most of the March loss came from local governments.
Job areas that showed increases in March include:
• Construction: Up 2,100 jobs over the month and 7,000 jobs over the year. March employment totaled 146,100.
• Education and health services: Up 300 jobs for the month and 6,800 over the year. Total March employment was 309,300.
• Information: Up 700 jobs over the month and 800 over the year. Total employment in March was 26,300.
• Leisure and hospitality: Up 1,800 jobs over the month and 100 jobs over the year. In March, employment totaled 226,800.
March job losses, in addition to the mining and logging and government sectors, included:
• Trade, transportation and utilities: Down 1,900 jobs over the month and 600 over the year. However, the retail trade subsector grew by 1,400 jobs and added 5,500 over the year. The transportation and warehousing subsector fell by 1,800 jobs over the month and 2,900 over the year.
• Manufacturing: Down 1,100 jobs over the month and 7,000 over the year. Total March employment was 139,000.
• Financial activities: Down 400 jobs over the month and 2,900 over the year. March employment stood at 89,500
All three sectors have connections to the oil and gas industry.
Among Louisiana’s nine metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), seasonally-adjusted data for March showed:
• Alexandria lost 300 jobs for the month but gained 300 over the year.
• Baton Rouge added 3,100 jobs over the month and 11,000 over the year.
• Houma lost 600 jobs for the month and 6,800 over the year.
• Lake Charles gained 800 jobs over the month and 2,800 over the year.
• Monroe lost 400 jobs over the month but was up 600 jobs over the year.
• New Orleans added 1,100 jobs over the month and 1,400 over the year.
The BLS does not report seasonally-adjusted data for Hammond, Lafayette and Shreveport because of changes in those areas’ demographics. Not-seasonally-adjusted data for March showed:
• Hammond gained 200 jobs for the month but lost 300 over the year.
• Lafayette gained 200 jobs over the month but was down 9.300 over the year.
• Shreveport gained 400 jobs over the month but lost 1,800 jobs over the year.
The not-seasonally-adjusted civilian labor force employment data showed all Louisiana MSAs except Houma gained jobs over the month. Seasonally-adjusted data are useful for comparisons among states and the nation. Not-seasonally-adjusted data are useful for comparing trends in parishes and metropolitan statistical areas, and for comparing them to the state.