BATON ROUGE — The Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance's biannual labor forecast predicts industrial construction demand along the Gulf Coast, specifically in South Louisiana, is increasing. 

"Industrial construction continues to be a major driver of local economic opportunity," Connie Fabre, President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance, said Friday in a statement. "This projected growth underscores the importance of upskilling our workforce to meet industry demand and sustain the economic benefit of these projects for Louisianans."

The report forecasts that, through 2029, there will be an increase in skilled craft labor supply and demand across Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles and the wider Gulf Coast. The report also says that demand for industrial construction in the Baton Rouge region is projected to grow from about 25,000 workers today to nearly 35,000 by the first quarter of 2028.

GBRIA also says that labor demand is climbing fast as industrial projects ramp up, expected to grow 40% over the next year, with the highest demand being for jobs like electricians, pipefitters and combo welders, painters, insulators, concrete finishers and millwrights.

Wage growth is also set to accelerate. Baton Rouge base wages are expected to rise between 4% and 5%, GBRIA says. 

Industrial spending is driving this increase, GBRIA added. Chemical, natural gas and refining projects make up most of the region's demand, which is expected to peak during the second quarter of 2028, while $35.6 billion in announced data center projects signal more competition ahead.