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
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.
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
Metro Markets in Louisiana
10 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
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 |
Louisiana: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Louisiana's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Louisiana averages 44.5 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #30 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Louisiana?
Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest entry risk in Louisiana at 34.6 (Moderate). It employs 293,819 workers across 17,796 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Louisiana?
Construction posts Louisiana's highest entry risk at 53.6 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Louisiana?
121,447 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Louisiana, employing 1,200,077 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Louisiana's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Louisiana with 293,819 jobs across 17,796 establishments and an entry risk score of 34.6.