State unemployment rate remains at 4.6 percent in December
AUSTIN ⎯ Texas has added an estimated 210,200 seasonally adjusted jobs since December 2015 with the addition of 800 nonfarm jobs this December. The state has added jobs in 20 of the past 21 months. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate maintained a 4.6 percent rate in December.
“Texas employers continue to boost the diverse Texas economy by adding jobs, including 210,200 over the year,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Thanks to the innovation and efforts of employers in a range of industries, Texas workers continue to have more opportunities to demonstrate their world-class work ethic and skills.”
The Education and Health Services industry recorded the largest private-industry employment gain over the
month with 7,300 jobs added. Leisure and Hospitality employment grew by 3,900 jobs in December, and
Manufacturing employment expanded by 1,400 jobs.
“Private-sector employment has been strong over the year with overall job growth of 172,600 jobs added,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “These numbers are a testament to the
perseverance and resilience of our Texas employers and the diversity of our Texas economy.”
The Amarillo, Austin-Round Rock and Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded the month’s
lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3.2 percent, followed by the College Station-Bryan MSA with a rate of 3.4 for December.
“The Texas labor force 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 boards are committed to connecting Texas workers with available jobs.”
An audio download with comments from Chairman Alcantar on the latest labor market data is 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.