Find Out How to Get a Job and Work in New Orleans

Employment in New Orleans

Local Economy

The economy of New Orleans is diverse and strong thanks to its position as one of the largest and busiest ports in the world. It is therefore a key location for oil refining as well as the production of petrochemicals – with many businesses related to these industries having a presence in the city.

As a leading center for education, universities in New Orleans are an important contributor to the local economy, proving to be among the leaders in research across a number of fields. Other key industries in the area include healthcare and creative industries.

Tourism plays a large role in the city’s economy, and expats working in New Orleans will find that it is a popular place to visit. Thanks to its many festivals and thriving culture and leisure scene, there are a numerous bars, restaurants, hotels, shops and more, which are popular places for those living in the city to find work – employing more than 85,000 people.

As Louisiana’s major cosmopolitan city, New Orleans is further home to many leading businesses, including Entergy, which is a Fortune 500 companies specializing in power generation. There are a number of other well-known companies with offices in the area, such as Rolls-Royce, AT&T, and Whitney National Bank.

Job Hunting in New Orleans

Those relocating to New Orleans may have work lined up already before arrival, but if this isn’t the case, there are plenty of opportunities available in the city. Expats job hunting in New Orleans can expect to use a number of avenues in order to find work, either in the industries mentioned above or those in more specialist roles. Employers are particularly keen on those who have great language skills, thanks to the diverse culture of the city.

One of the key ways to finding work in New Orleans is online. There are plenty of excellent job websites that advertise both general and specialist positions across different industries. The New Orleans Job Search is one example, as well as Indeed.com, Craigslist and Monster; these provide you with the option to search according to your desired location, industry, salary and other criteria.

The traditional method of browsing in local newspapers is still a great way to find work in New Orleans. The Times-Picayune is one of the most well-known newspapers in New Orleans and covers a wide area, proving a popular choice for advertising new positions. Other newspapers that may prove beneficial for job hunting include the New Orleans Advocate and the New Orleans Tribune.

Those searching for work in New Orleans may also wish to consider other locations in Louisiana, as commuting here is easier than in most states due to its small size.

Taxation in New Orleans

As with all states in the United States, those working New Orleans are subject to federal income tax and, even as an expat, you will typically have to pay it in the same way as other residents (exceptions may be made in some cases, e.g. for short term stays).

There are, however, different brackets to outline how much you need to pay in relation to what you earn when it comes to state income tax. For singles in Louisiana, these brackets are:

• 2% for every dollar earned between 0 and 12,500 USD
• 4% for every dollar earned between 12,501 and 50,000 USD
• 6% for every dollar earned for 50,001 USD and over

The deadline to file your state income tax each year is the April 15, and you are able to do this online. Couples can also file jointly in order to pay less overall tax on their joint income. Compared to other countries, such as the UK, the United States allows workers to take home much more of their income, with smaller percentages of income tax and social security. However, it is important to note that medical insurance is more expensive in the US than in most other countries in the world.