(HOUSTON) The region’s unemployment rate fell one-half percent in April to 3.2%, the lowest it has been since recordkeeping began in 1990, according to figures released this morning by Workforce Solutions. Overall, more than 17,000 people found work in April. When adjusted for seasonal employment variations, the region added 6,000 jobs while unemployment remained steady for the fourth month in a row at 4.1% in March.
Houston’s Leisure & Hospitality industry continues to show signs of strength, adding an additional 7,600 jobs in April, the second month in a row that industry segment has grown. “Food service and drinking places saw the bulk of hiring within the sector,” said Workforce Solutions economist Parker Harvey, “I think this shows the segment is confident, going into summer, that people have enough disposable income to spend more on dinner and at nightclubs or bars.”
The Professional and Business Services sector, home to so-called “white collar” jobs, added just under 5,000 positions in April, primarily in the administration and support services subsector. Education and Health Services had the third best job growth, adding 4,200 jobs.
Additional labor market information and the detailed April report can be found at wrksolutions.com/localstats. The Texas Workforce Commission will release employment numbers for May 2019 on June 22, 2019.