State has experienced job growth in 14 of the past 15 months

Special to The Leader

AUSTIN ⎯ Texas has added an estimated 171,100 seasonally adjusted jobs over the past year with the addition of 7,200 nonfarm jobs in June. The state has added jobs in 14 of the last 15 months. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.5 percent in June, up slightly from 4.4 percent in May, and remained below the national average of 4.9 percent.

“I am encouraged by our state’s continued job growth, with Texas employers adding jobs in nine of 11 industries over the past year,” said Texas Workforce Commissioner (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Texas Workforce Solutions is committed to advancing partnerships and providing innovative solutions to our employers and workforce to keep our state the best place to work and do business.”

The Leisure and Hospitality industry added 5,200 jobs in June. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality gained 53,800 jobs. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities employment added 3,900 jobs in June. Manufacturing employment expanded by 1,000 jobs in June.

“Texas’ economic growth over the year is due to the resilience of our employers who have added 123,000 private-sector jobs over the past year,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “The evolution of services provided by the Texas Workforce Solutions network over the past twenty years has played a critical role in job creation and the economic prosperity of our state and we can take pride in all that this agency and our Workforce Solutions partners have accomplished.”

The Amarillo and Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3.3 percent, followed by the Sherman-Denison and Lubbock MSAs each with rates of 3.9 percent in June.

“The Texas labor force has much to offer and there are resources available to find the perfect occupational fit,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “I encourage all job seekers to contact their local Workforce Solutions office for assistance with job training and placement.”

Audio downloads with comments from Commissioner Hughs on the latest labor market data are available on the TWC website 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.