Louisiana job outlook better than national average - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

By Victoria Shirley

MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The unchanging 8.2 national unemployment rate is making Louisiana's rate look like "good" news.

The latest local unemployment rates leave Louisianians with "good" and "bad" news. In May, the state's 7-point-2 percent out of work rate was one point lower than the national number.  
"Well actually Louisiana compares very well and has for the last several years", said Monroe Chamber President Sue Nicholson says the numbers aren't as favorable for the Monroe metropolitan area, which includes all of Ouachita and Union parishes.

Their unemployment rate stands at 7.7 percent and much of the job loss comes from the manufacturing arena. "While we're concerned about that we are also very hopeful that as the national and global picture improves, then those improve as well." said Monroe Chamber of Commerce. The Delta region of the state continues to see the worst out of work numbers in the country. Many like East Carroll with a 16.8 % rate, have double digit numbers

"For many of those parishes, they come to Ouachita parish to do their retail shopping, so if they are doing badly in the delta parishes, we do feel that in our economy in Ouachita Parish."

There was a job loss of 400 jobs in May compared to April, but overall there was a 100 job increase throughout the year and some say looking at yearly numbers is much better than looking at monthly numbers. "You know the good news when you look at the Monroe msa for the long term, there is a slow but steady up tick in employment and that is a good thing"

The average Louisiana hourly wage is also nearly a dollar more than the national average.