Texas job numbers up, county slightly down
The State of Texas added almost 35,000 jobs in May, according to figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) last week; however the number of people working in Hays County dipped slightly.
The new figures put the state’s jobless rate at 4.1 percent, and Hays County at 2.8 percent. Statewide, a total of 34,700 seasonally adjusted “non farm” jobs were added last month, the TWC says, marking the 23rd consecutive month of employment growth.
In Hays County, TWC says 108,303 persons were employed in May. That’s 111 fewer than the 108,414 who wore working in April. However, between May 2017 and last month, the county increased by 3,816 jobs.
“Texas employers continue to put the world class Texas workforce to work, adding 34,700 jobs in May and 352,100 over the year,” TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said. “TWC continues to work with our local and Tri-Agency partners to foster innovative strategies to equip the Texas talent pool with industry aligned skills,” he continued.
May’s annual growth in the state’s goods producing industries was strong at 5.7 percent, the TWC said. Over the month, the construction industry added 5,800 jobs, followed by mining and logging with 4,100 positions, while manufacturing employment expanded by 3,400 positions. In Texas’ service providing sector, education and health services added 8,100 positions over the month, and led all industries in job growth for May. Also within this sector, professional and business services added 4,300 jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality with a gain of 3,500 positions.
“Employers continue to contribute to our state’s great success. Private-sector employers have accounted for the addition of 346,300 positions in Texas over the past year as the state has continued to expand its work- force,” TWC Commissioner Ruth R. Hughs said. “As employment continues to grow, I invite Texas employers whose workforce is comprised of at least 10 percent Texas veterans to apply for our We Hire Vets recognition program. We want to thank businesses for their commitment to hiring our nation’s heroes and strengthening the Texas economy.”
Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA, which had the second lowest with a rate of 2.6 percent. The Austin-Round Rock (which includes San Marcos), College Station-Bryan, Lubbock, and Odessa MSAs all recorded the third lowest rate of 2.8 percent for May.
Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.