Workforce Availability
Unlock the potential of Natchitoches’ diverse and talented workforce. Our parish is home to a pool of skilled individuals ready to contribute their expertise to your business.
Natchitoches Parish
17,345
Labor Force
16,686
Employment
659
Unemployment
3.8
Unemployment Rate
Natchitoches Labor Region
103,367
Labor Force
99,706
Employment
3,661
Unemployment
3.5
Unemployment Rate
Wages & Occupation Data in the Region
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics produces employment and wage estimates for our region for hundreds of different occupations within industrial clusters. Below, you’ll find information about employment and wages and the distribution of labor in the Natchitoches Labor Region.
Average Wages
Natchitoches Parish
14,465
Average Employment
$20.65
Avg. Hourly Wage
$42,952
Annual Avg. Wage
Natchitoches Labor Region
89,584
Average Employment
$22.59
Avg. Hourly Wage
$47,356
Annual Avg. Wage
Distribution of Labor
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Existing Industry
Discover the economic heartbeat of Natchitoches Parish through our existing industries. The businesses that call our region home contribute to a robust and dynamic economy across various sectors.
North Louisiana, including Natchitoches, has an excellent advantage for economic development as it sits in the timber basket of America. The timber basket creates a natural interest in wood-related industries to locate and expand here. From powerhouses like International Paper, Weyerhaeuser, and RoyOMartin to feeder operations like Walsh Timber, many existing jobs in Natchitoches Parish have ties to timber resources.
Similarly to our booming timber industry, the natural resources in our region create a thriving agricultural economy that contributes significantly to existing industry.
Local corn farmers, egg farmers, and hatcheries support the supply of chickens that feed America through poultry powerhouse Pilgrim’s Chicken.
Louisiana seafood is world-renowned, and Natchitoches Parish accounts for 13% of aquaculture sales in the country, due largely to nationally acclaimed Louisiana Crawfish Company.
Lignite located in northern Natchitoches Parish supplies the raw material necessary to produce activated carbon products that enable a cleaner and safer planet while actively reducing our environmental impact. Arq, Inc. is a diversified, high performance, environmental technology company whose flagship activated carbon manufacturing facility is in Coushatta, Louisiana. They also have a blending facility located on-site at the Natchitoches Parish Port.
Outside of the vast array of advanced manufacturers who call Natchitoches Parish home due to our ample natural resources, we are also home to Alliance Compressors, a subsidiary of Copeland. Air conditioner compressors are produced in Natchitoches Parish for OEMs like Trane and Lennox, with machining precision down to the hundredth of a millimeter.
While manufacturing-related industries create a large portion of available high-demand, high-wage jobs in Natchitoches Parish, there is also a large percentage of small mom-and-pop businesses that make up our tourism industry, which is a huge economic driver for the region. Tourism businesses range from specialty retail, restaurants, and lodging to outdoor recreation and attractions. This robust industry also contributes to the quality of life offered to our residents.
Top Employers
Natchitoches is more than just a location to establish a business; it’s a supportive community that propels industries forward. Below you’ll find more information about some of our top employers and existing industries.
- Natchitoches Regional Medical Center – 811 – Healthcare
- Northwestern State University – 795 – Education
- RoyOMartin – 750 – Wood Product Manufacturing
- Natchitoches Parish School Board – 725 – Education
- Pilgrim’s – 693 – Poultry & Poultry Products Manufacturing
- Alliance Compressors – 665 – Equipment Manufacturing
- International Paper – 473 – Paper Manufacturing
To view our map on top employer locations, please visit the Map Room.
Infrastructure
The Natchitoches Parish Port is located on the Red River and continues to be an incredible asset to the area. It easily connects companies to national and global markets and enables an essential transportation option for moving goods. Site development at the Port is a top priority as we continue to focus on Natchitoches being a competitive location for businesses looking to expand or relocate.
Additionally, our location provides convenient access to I-49 and is just one hour south of I-20 with additional port access to the Red River. Furthermore, with two major railroad lines (CPKC and UP), our logistic advantages help local companies distribute nationally.
To view our maps on infrastructure and transportation, please visit the Map Room.
Central Louisiana Economic Dashboard by LSUA
The CENLA Economic Dashboard is a service of the LSUA College of Business to help business and community leaders monitor the economic pulse of central Louisiana.
Below are the 2023-2024 Economic Dashboards.
We share this data with our members bi-monthly as it is released. To sign up to receive this report monthly in your inbox, click the button below.
Sign up for CENLA Economic Dashboard