BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s economy continued its upward momentum in the second quarter of 2025, with the number of non-farm jobs surpassing the two-million mark for only the second time in state history. According to the latest Quarter 2 Economic Data Report released by Leaders for a Better Louisiana (Better Louisiana), total employment rose 1% over the last year and 2% over the past two years.
Job growth was reported in all ten of Louisiana’s metropolitan regions, with Slidell and Hammond leading the way. Healthcare and manufacturing were the top-performing sectors, contributing significantly to the gains. The healthcare sector alone added nearly 6,000 jobs over the past year, while Louisiana’s manufacturing industry now ranks among the top 20 in the nation for job growth.
“Crossing the 2 million jobs threshold isn’t just symbolic, it’s a signal that our statewide efforts to grow diverse, resilient industries are gaining real traction,” said Adam Knapp, CEO of Better Louisiana. “We’re particularly encouraged to see growth in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing, which create lasting, high-quality jobs.”
Retail sales also saw a 2% year-over-year increase, despite a 0.55% rise in the state sales tax implemented in January following the November Tax Reform Special Session. Public higher education enrollment rose 3.5%, with LSU-Alexandria and LSU-Shreveport experiencing double-digit growth driven by expanded online programs.
While Louisiana still lags behind many Southern states in job growth since 2019, the state has now seen 51 consecutive months of year-over-year employment gains.
“From Lake Charles to Monroe, our communities are rebounding and adapting in exciting ways,” said Barry Erwin, Director of Policy at Better Louisiana. “This data helps tell a broader story of long-term opportunity for Louisianans across the map.”
The report also highlights population growth in areas along the I-10 corridor, sustained demand in high-need fields such as nursing, retail management, and logistics, and a 5% year-over-year decline in initial unemployment claims.
To view or download the full report, visit www.betterla.org/reports.