Texas Hits 24 Consecutive Months Of Job Growth
“Broad-based growth across our industries remains solid with ten of eleven industries adding jobs in the dynamic and prolific job creating Texas economy…”
The Texas economy added 27,200 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs in June, which marked 24 consecutive months of employment growth.
Over the year, Texas added 359,500 jobs for an annual employment growth rate of 2.9 percent. Private-sector employers added 26,400 positions over the month. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in June, down slightly from May 2018.
Total Non-agricultural wage and salary employment increased by 27,200 jobs in June as employment rose for the 24th consecutive month.
Both the Goods Producing and Service Providing sectors mirrored this movement with Goods Producing employment reaching its highest peak since December 2014 at 1,894,700 jobs in June.
Annually, Total Non-farm jobs increased by 359,500 positions while the annual growth rate held at 2.9 percent from May to June 2018.
The Goods Producing sector annual growth rate remained unchanged at 5.8 percent, while Service Providing annual growth slowed by 0.1 percentage points to 2.4 percent in June.
“Recognition of Texas as the premier place to do business in the country is reinforced by employers adding another 27,200 jobs in June and an impressive 359,500 jobs over the year,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Broad-based growth across our industries remains solid with ten of eleven industries adding jobs in the dynamic and prolific job creating Texas economy.”
“Private-sector employment remained strong with Texas employers adding 351,700 jobs over the year and 26,400 jobs added in June,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employer Ruth Ruggero Hughs. “TWC is committed to developing innovative workforce programs and supporting Texas businesses with a skilled talent pipeline that is unmatched throughout the nation.”
“All Goods Producing industries showed positive employment growth in Texas, including Construction, which expanded by 2,900 jobs in June,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “The Texas labor force has continued to provide employers with the skills and expertise needed to keep the Texas economy growing.”
Highlights
(Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) industry data are not seasonally adjusted)
• Fourteen out of 26 areas expanded in employment in June for a combined increase of 26,100 jobs. Twenty-two areas grew over the year, while four contracted.
• For the 15th consecutive month, the Midland MSA was the fastest growing area with a 9.0% annual growth rate in June. Mining, Logging, and Construction led with an employment gain of 6,700 jobs.
• The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland MSA added the most jobs since June 2017 with 99,100 positions. Professional and Business Services had the largest increase over this timespan with a gain of 41,200 jobs.
• The Victoria MSA had the largest annual decrease in percentage terms at -1.2 percent. Manufacturing, Leisure and Hospitality, and Government employment all fell by 200 jobs each.
• Annual employment loss was greatest in the
Corpus Christi MSA with a decrease of 2,900
jobs. Leisure and Hospitality continued to shed
the most jobs with a loss of 1,800 over the year.
Highlights
(MSA industry data are not seasonally adjusted)
• Professional and Business Services grew for the tenth consecutive month, adding 7,300 jobs in June. Most of this month’s increase was attributed to gains in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services which grew by 5,600 jobs.
• The Education and Health Services annual growth rate rose 0.2 percentage points from May to 2.2 percent in June while 6,000 jobs were added over-the-month.
• Growth in Mining and Logging reached a second quarter high of
16,500 jobs added. Employment in this
industry hasn’t decreased since November
2016.
The Manufacturing Industry recorded the largest private-industry employment gain over the month with 8,600 jobs added. Professional and Business Services employment grew by 7,500 jobs in April, followed by Education and Health Services with 6,200 jobs.
“Texas employers added 327,500 jobs over the past year, making our state’s annual private-sector employment growth 3.2 percent for April, up from 2.9 percent in March,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “It’s no surprise that CEOs ranked the Lone Star State as the Best State for Business for the 14th consecutive year in a row. These numbers are a testament to the perseverance and resilience of our Texas employers and the diversity of our Texas economy.”
Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA, which had the second lowest with a rate of 2.6 percent. The College Station-Bryan MSA recorded the third lowest rate of 2.7 percent for April.
“Texas employers continue to boost the impressive Texas economy by adding 39,600 jobs in April and 332,300 jobs over the year,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Our state’s ongoing trajectory of success is linked to the innovation and competitiveness of employers in a range of industries providing workers more opportunities to demonstrate their world-class skills.”
“The Texas labor force is now approaching 14 million and has continued to provide employers with the skills and expertise needed to keep the Texas economy growing,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “TWC and the 28 local workforce development boards are committed to connecting Texas workers with available jobs.”
County Highlights
• Unemployment rates varied considerably across counties, ranging from a low of 1.9 percent in McMullen County to a high of 11.8 percent in Willacy County.
• Twenty-three counties had an unemployment rate of 3.0 percent or less.
• Presidio County experienced the largest unemployment rate decrease of 2.2 percentage points over the year.
• In June 2018, 2 of the 254 counties had an over the-month decrease in their unemployment rates. Two counties were unchanged over the month, while 250 counties increased.
• Over the year, the civilian labor force increased in
156 counties, while the other 98 counties in the state
experienced a decline.
Information and graphics provided by Texas Workforce Commission.
