AUSTIN — The Texas economy expanded in April with the addition of 30,400 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent.
“Texas employers continue to create jobs in the broad based Texas economy with ten of the 11 industries expanding over the year,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “With the addition of 258,900 jobs over the past year, TWC remains committed to providing the services needed to get Texans back work.”
Employment in the Education and Health Services industry recorded the largest private-industry gain over the month with 10,400 jobs added. Manufacturing employment grew by 8,100 jobs in April and Professional and Business Services employment expanded by 7,400 jobs.
“This sustained increase in job creation provides more opportunities for Texas employers to expand, which helps increase opportunity for all Texans,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth Hughs. “TWC is committed to developing workforce programs that keep our businesses competitive and our growing talent pipeline a priority.”
The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3.0 percent, followed by the Austin-Round Rock, College Station-Bryan and Lubbock MSAs with a rate of 3.2 percent. The Midland MSA registered a rate of 3.5 percent for April.
“Several Goods Producing industries are showing strength in Texas, including Manufacturing, which expanded by 8,100 jobs in April” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Positive economic growth means continued employment opportunities for the expanding Texas labor force.”
An audio download with comments from Commissioner Hughs on the latest labor market data is available on the TWC 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.
The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for May is scheduled to be released on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).