Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The Texas economy expanded for the 14th consecutive month with the addition of 5500 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in August. Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent down from 4.3 percent in July. Annual employment growth for Texas was 2.5 percent which was more than double the annual growth rate set the previous year.
Texas employers added 298600 jobs over the year in the diverse and competitive Texas economy" said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. TWC is dedicated to building and deploying the partnerships necessary to support the rebuilding of our Texas communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey and to put our fellow Texans back to work."
The Trade Transportation and Utilities Industry recorded the largest private-industry gain over the month with 9100 jobs added. Construction expanded by 2600 jobs adding 15200 jobs over the year. Manufacturing saw an increase of 2200 jobs in August representing a 4.2 employment growth rate over the year the industrys highest annual growth rate since March 2012.
Private-sector employment was strong over the year with an increase in overall jobs of 270800 including 4400 jobs added in August" said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth Hughs. After the devastating impacts of Hurricane Harvey TWC and our Workforce Solutions partners are committed to ensuring our state resources and services are provided to impacted Texas businesses individuals and communities to help get Texans get back to work and regain their lives."
The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the months lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3.1 percent followed by the Midland MSA with a rate of 3.2 percent and the Austin-Round Rock MSA with a rate of 3.4 for August.
Several Goods Producing industries are showing strength in Texas including Construction which has added 15200 jobs over the year" said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. If you have been unable to work due to Hurricane Harvey go to texasworkforce.orgfor more information on disaster recovery resources."
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 Labors 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 September is scheduled to be released on Friday October 20 2017 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).
