AUSTIN – The Texas economy expanded in June for the 12th consecutive month with the addition of 40,200 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.6 percent, down from 4.8 percent in May. Texas’ annual employment growth outperformed the previous two years with 319,300 jobs added over the year, bringing the state’s annual growth rate up by 0.4 percentage points to 2.7 percent.
“Texas employers added 319,300 jobs over the past year, with ten out of eleven industries adding jobs in the dynamic Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “TWC will continue to support strategies that boost the job creation efforts of Texas employers and equip Texas students and workers with in-demand skills.”
Education and Health Services recorded the largest private-industry gain over the month with 13,100 jobs added. Manufacturing experienced its largest over-the-year employment gain since July 2012 with 4,600 jobs added in June and Mining and Logging employment expanded by 4,400 jobs.
“Private-sector employment remained strong with Texas employers adding 283,800 jobs over the year and 34,100 jobs added in June,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth Hughs. “TWC is committed to developing innovative workforce programs that keep our businesses competitive and our growing talent pipeline a priority.”
The Amarillo and Austin Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3.4 percent, followed by the Midland MSAs with a rate of 3.5 percent. The College Station-Bryan MSA registered a rate of 3.8 percent for June.
“All Goods Producing industries showed positive employment growth in Texas, including Manufacturing, which expanded by 4,600 jobs in June,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “The Texas labor force has continued to provide employers with the skills and expertise needed to keep the Texas economy growing.”
An audio download with comments from Commissioner Hughs on the latest labor market data is available on the TWC press release page. To view video on latest labor market data, go to the TWC YouTube 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 July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 18, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).
