Texas Adds 42,800 Private Sector Jobs Last Month

“Texas’ continued addition of jobs demonstrates the competitive advantages and market opportunities available to our employers and world-class workforce to compete and succeed,” said Alcantar.

AUSTIN — The Texas economy added 40,500 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in February, which marked 20 consecutive months of employment growth.

Over the year, Texas added 285,200 jobs for an annual employment growth rate 2.3 percent in February. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.0 percent in February and remains below the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.

“We are encouraged to see the Texas economy continue to expand at a solid pace with Texas employers adding 40,500 jobs over the month for a total of 285,200 jobs gained over the year,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Texas’ continued addition of jobs demonstrates the competitive advantages and market opportunities available to our employers and world-class workforce to compete and succeed.”

Industries adding jobs in February included Professional and Business Services, which added 13,200 positions followed by Trade, Transportation and Utilities, which added 11,800 jobs, and Mining and Logging employers added 6,500 positions.

“Our businesses in Texas continue to thrive and grow in a strong economy, adding 42,800 jobs in February,” said Commissioner Ruth R. Hughs. “Texas has created an environment for success and continues to support additional business expansion for our broad range of industry employers.”

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.5 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA, which had the second lowest with a rate of 2.9 percent.

The Austin-Round Rock and College Station-Bryan MSAs were tied for the third lowest rate of 3.0 percent for February.

“Our state continues to build on its successes,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “We need to continue these efforts in building a better prepared workforce by continuing to offer training programs and training onsite. Our Skills Development Fund provides training grants to jobs, businesses and workers to fulfill a specific need we see in the workforce. We need to solve the problem of not having enough skilled workers by increasing opportunities for customizing job-training.”

Audio downloads with comments from Commissioner Hughs on the latest labor market data are available on the TWC website press release page.

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit tracer2.com.