More people were employed in Louisiana in December 2007 than before two hurricanes devastated much of the state in 2005.
Latest numbers from the state Department of Labor showed 10,500 more jobs in December 2007 than in December 2004. The state has not yet exceeded its peak of 1.95 million jobs achieved in June 2005, but that could happen this year if the trend continues. Hurricane Katrina hit in late August 2005 and Hurricane Rita followed a few weeks later.
The current estimate is that there were 1.93 million Louisianans employed in February 2008.
Metro areas in southern Louisiana, except New Orleans, posted higher job counts than in 2005. New Orleans is still down 87,000 jobs, or about 14%, from its pre-storm peak.
Manufacturing jobs are up by 5,000 since 2005, to 157,400. Construction jobs are up 19% since 2005 to 136,000. Retail jobs have climbed less than 2% to 224,000. The professional and business services sector has grown 7% to 202,000 positions.
