Texas once again broke its own job records

Texas once again broke its own employment records in April, surpassed the national employment growth rate again, and added more civilian workers as it has done 58 out of 60 consecutive months, according to newly published federal labor and Texas Workforce Commission data.

No other state in the country is reporting job growth or breaking employment records every month other than Texas, according to the data.

In April, Texas again reached a new record high for having the largest labor force in state history of 15,814,400.

Texas also reached a new record high for having the greatest number of Texans working, including the self-employed, of 15,171,500.

Texas also reached a new record high for total nonfarm jobs last month totaling 14,320,100 after adding 37,700 jobs.

"Texas is the undisputed champion for attracting job-creating business investments in the United States,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. "Businesses invest with confidence in Texas thanks to the Best Business Climate in America and our highly skilled and growing workforce. That is why Texas employers have added more than 2.5 million jobs since I became Governor and why more Texans are working than ever before. But we will not be complacent. We will continue to advance pro-growth economic policies, invest in career training for high-demand occupations, and partner with Texas businesses and innovators to remain the Best State for Business and the best state for good-paying jobs over the next decade and beyond.”

In April, the Texas labor market reached record highs in both total jobs and the size of the civilian labor force. Over the year, Texas added 215,500 jobs, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.5%, again outpacing the national growth rate, this time by 0.3 percentage points.

Texas’ civilian labor force record high of 15,814,400 last month marked 58 of 60 months of growth, TWC said. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force added 292,400 people.

“The positive trends in the Texas labor market show the Lone Star State’s efforts to invest in the success of the Texas economy,” TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel said. “Focusing on things like skills development, innovation, and strategic partnerships, TWC continues our efforts to offer funding and support for both employers and job seekers.”

The Professional and Business Services industry reported the largest over-the-month increase in April, adding 10,900 jobs. Private Education and Health Services added 7,400 jobs over the month; Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,300. The Mining and Logging industry grew by 1.4% over the year, outperforming the industry’s growth rate nationally by 2.2%.

“Texas’ strong focus on innovation and economic growth is driving a growing demand for skilled workers across many industries,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. “At TWC, we’re committed to meeting that need through programs like ApprenticeshipTexas and Upskill Texas, which help Texans build the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce and in the careers of the future.”

Texas' not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7%, lower than the national rate of 3.9% last month.

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) reported the lowest unemployment rate of 2.6% last month, followed by Amarillo and San Angelo MSAs each reporting 2.7%.

Eagle Pass MSA reported the highest unemployment rate of 10.6%, followed by Brownsville-Harlingen MSA’ 6.9% and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission’s 5.5%.