LA
Louisiana: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #30 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 4,657,757.
Louisiana ranks #30 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (44.5). Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest risk at 34.6 (Moderate), while Construction is the most challenging at 53.6 (Elevated). The 19.0-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 293,819 jobs.
Louisiana: 44.5 Average Entry Risk
121,447
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
1,200,077
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
44.5
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
Louisiana at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Louisiana
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Louisiana.
Entry Risk by Industry in Louisiana
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Louisiana. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Other Services
#21
Information
#44
Retail Trade
#46
Construction
#41
Louisiana Industry Data: 121,447 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 34.6 | #16/51 | 17,796 | 293,819 | $56,373 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 36.4 | #15/51 | 21,468 | 96,200 | $87,007 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 41.9 | #21/51 | 9,976 | 47,657 | $49,674 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 42.0 | #6/51 | 9,022 | 56,739 | $86,047 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 43.8 | #36/51 | 12,672 | 196,045 | $24,665 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.9 | #40/51 | 9,700 | 105,049 | $51,326 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 44.5 | #34/51 | 6,265 | 30,203 | $63,293 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 51.7 | #44/51 | 2,896 | 19,119 | $76,493 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 52.3 | #46/51 | 18,928 | 215,035 | $35,677 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 53.6 | #41/51 | 12,724 | 140,211 | $80,936 |
Largest Industries in Louisiana by Employment
How Louisiana Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs LA |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 44.5 | — |
| Arkansas | 38.6 | -5.9 |
| Mississippi | 41.2 | -3.3 |
| Texas | 44.9 | +0.4 |