Texas’ April Unemployment Rate, Labor Market Breakdown

“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 economy added 39,600 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs in April, which marked 22 consecutive months of employment growth. Over the year, Texas added 332,300 jobs for an annual employment growth rate of 2.7 percent in April.

Private sector employers added 37,900 positions over the month. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in April, up slightly from 4.0 percent in March.

Highlights
(MSA industry data are not seasonally adjusted)

•Sixteen out of 26 areas expanded in employment in April for a combined increase of 34,300 jobs. Twenty-three areas grew over the year, while three contracted.

•The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA led all areas over the month with an increase of 12,000 jobs.

•The Midland MSA grew the fastest by a wide margin in April with a 2.8 percent gain over the month.

•The Midland MSA also continued to lead all areas with an annual growth rate of 11.6 percent in April. Per not seasonally adjusted data, Mining, Logging, and Construction continued to drive much of this growth with 8,000 jobs added since April 2017.

•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

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 14^th 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.”

Highlights
(MSA industry data are not seasonally adjusted)

•Mining and Logging employment growth more than tripled over the month to 4,900 jobs for April, as the industry has not decreased in employment since November 2016.

•Construction employment surged over the year as 40,600 jobs were added, pushing the annual growth rate to its highest level since March 2015.

•Professional and Business Services employment grew for an eighth consecutive month and recorded the highest annual growth rate since February 2015 with 4.7 percent in April. All sectors grew over the year. 

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.”

The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for May is scheduled to be released on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).

This information was provided by Texas Workforce Commission.