Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you gearing up for a job search in 2026? Understanding the state of your local job market is crucial as you navigate your career path. Job markets can vary significantly within the same state, making it essential to know where opportunities are flourishing.
At Zippia, we analyze labor market data to help you identify the best places to find a job in Louisiana this year.
Here are the top ten job markets in Louisiana for 2026.
The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Louisiana
These cities showcase the most promising job opportunities in Louisiana for job seekers. If your city didn’t make the top 10, don’t worry—keep reading for a detailed ranking of all metro areas.
How We Determined the Best Job Markets in Louisiana
Using the latest data from the Census American Community Survey, we analyzed major metro areas in Louisiana with a civilian population over 5,000.
While unemployment rates are a key indicator, they don’t tell the whole story of a job market. Therefore, we evaluated several factors to determine the best job markets in Louisiana.
Each metro area was ranked from 1 to 26 across four key categories:
- Unemployment Rate
- Change in Unemployment Rate
- Household Income Change
- Current Average Household Income
A lower score in each category indicates a stronger job market. For instance, Youngsville boasted the lowest unemployment rate at 3.0%, securing its top position. We averaged the scores across these categories to create our final rankings.
1. Mandeville
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Average Income: $115,166
2. Central
Unemployment Rate: 3.05%
Average Income: $86,050
3. Zachary
Unemployment Rate: 4.45%
Average Income: $92,315
4. Baker
Unemployment Rate: 4.67%
Average Income: $67,607
5. Lafayette
Unemployment Rate: 4.72%
Average Income: $76,540
6. Kenner
Unemployment Rate: 5.29%
Average Income: $72,582
7. Broussard
Unemployment Rate: 3.65%
Average Income: $93,854
8. Sulphur
Unemployment Rate: 4.51%
Average Income: $63,838
9. Alexandria
Unemployment Rate: 9.95%
Average Income: $63,583
10. Youngsville
Unemployment Rate: 3.04%
Average Income: $103,434
Measuring the Best Job Markets in Louisiana
If you find yourself in Youngsville and still struggling to find a job, you are not alone. Personal circumstances such as education level, work experience, and industry preferences significantly affect job search outcomes. Nevertheless, overall, job seekers in Youngsville enjoy a more favorable job market than those in cities further down the ranking.
Detailed List of the Hottest Job Markets in Louisiana
| Rank | Place | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandeville | 3.8% |
| 2 | Central | 3.05% |
| 3 | Zachary | 4.45% |
| 4 | Baker | 4.67% |
| 5 | Lafayette | 4.72% |
| 6 | Kenner | 5.29% |
| 7 | Broussard | 3.65% |
| 8 | Sulphur | 4.51% |
| 9 | Alexandria | 9.95% |
| 10 | Youngsville | 3.04% |
| 11 | Houma | 8.22% |
| 12 | West Monroe | 8.01% |
| 13 | Gretna | 7.25% |
| 14 | Baton Rouge | 8.53% |
| 15 | New Orleans | 8.41% |
| 16 | Pineville | 6.06% |
| 17 | Hammond | 10.53% |
| 18 | Bossier | 5.5% |
| 19 | Lake Charles | 6.78% |
| 20 | Opelousas | 6.93% |
| 21 | Shreveport | 7.09% |
| 22 | Monroe | 9.83% |
| 23 | Slidell | 7.23% |
| 24 | Thibodaux | 7.94% |
| 25 | Ruston | 7.53% |
| 26 | New Iberia | 11.25% |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
