Texas Marks 92 Consecutive Months of Annual Growth

Texas adds close to 270000 jobs since December 2016 Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The Texas economy added 306900 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs over the year and Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 in December remaining below the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1. Annual employment growth for the state was 2.5 in December marking 92 consecutive months of annual growth.

Texas ended 2017 with record-level job creation numbers during the fourth quarter with 10 of 11 industries expanding over the year and an annual gain of 306900 jobs said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar (right.)

TWC looks forward to another year of strong partnerships with innovative Texas employers as they continue to create valuable opportunities for the Texas workforce and contribute to our states economic success.

Industries adding jobs in December included:

• Leisure and Hospitality which added 6800 jobs;
• Construction added 4300 jobs; and
• Information which added 3600 jobs and includes traditional and software publishing data processing and hosting and telecommunications companies.

Private sector employers had a successful year in Texas adding almost 270000 jobs since December 2016 said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. This growth is a great illustration of the value and opportunity that employers bring to the Texas economy. The Amarillo and Midland Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded the months lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.5.

• The Austin-Round Rock College Station-Bryan and Lubbock MSAs which tied for the second lowest with a rate of 2.7 followed closely behind.
• San Angelo San Antonio-New Braunfels and Sherman-Denison MSAs also tied for the third lowest rate of 3.0 for December.

The unemployment rate in Texas fell nearly a point over the year 2017 which is great news for workers in the Lone Star State said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. Positive economic growth means continued opportunities for the expanding labor force here in Texas. The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for January is scheduled to be released on Friday March 9 2018 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT). The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.