The location, culture and natural resources of Louisiana have all played an integral role in its economic development. Passenger cruises and cargo shipping have created many jobs in New Orleans, LA, the state’s largest city and the home of the longest wharf in the world and the 5th largest port in the U.S. The unique cultural atmosphere of New Orleans has also made tourism a significant source of Louisiana jobs in The Big Easy. The largest natural resource-based industries in Louisiana include oil and gas, petrochemicals, timber and seafood (particularly crayfish). Baton Rouge, the second most populous city in Louisiana, is an important industrial center. The Shaw Group, Turner Industries and ExxonMobil are a few of the major providers of jobs in Baton Rouge.

One rapidly growing source of new jobs in Louisiana is television and movie production. Louisiana trails only California and New York in feature film production, a trend that has earned it the nickname Hollywood South. The entertainment dollars extend beyond New Orleans. Film production has become a welcome source of Shreveport, Louisiana jobs, and has spawned local developments such as the Louisiana Wave Studio.