(The Center Square) – Texas once again broke its own employment records in September, as it has every month over the past two years. Texas also leads the U.S. again for jobs added over the month and over the year.
Texas’ labor market reached another new record high in September for having the greatest number of jobs, greatest number of people employed, and greatest number of people in the civilian labor force. Total nonfarm employment increased by 61,400 jobs over the month to reach a 24th consecutive series-high level with 14,049,400 jobs. September’s numbers also represent a 31st consecutive month of growth, the Texas Workforce Commission said Friday.
Since September 2022, Texas’ employment grew by 435,800 positions. The state’s annual growth rate of 3.2% outpaced the national rate by over 1 percentage point.
The seasonally adjusted number of employed workers increased by 26,900 people over the month to achieve a new record high of 14,515,800 people employed.
Texas’ seasonally adjusted civilian labor force grew by 29,500 people over the month, also achieving a new record high of 15,141,300.
“The Texas economy continues to grow, exceeding 14 million jobs for the first time” in state history, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel notes.
Gov. Greg Abbott said, “Jobs are surging in Texas thanks to the best business climate and strongest workforce in the nation. … We are America’s jobs leader because Texas moves at the speed of business, cutting red tape and getting out of the way so businesses thrive, jobs grow, and Texans prosper. That is why the Texas economy is the eighth-largest economy in the world. With more Texans working than ever before, we continue to build an even bigger, bolder Texas of tomorrow.”
Metropolitan Statistical Areas that saw the most growth include the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area, which added 14,300 jobs in September, and the San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA, which grew its civilian labor force by 3,800 people. Its total employment increased by nearly 10,000 jobs over the month.
TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson said Texas’ growth was seen across all major private industries. This was done “by fostering a business environment that enables Texas employers, large and small, to thrive, grow and succeed.” It’s also because “TWC has a number of programs and initiatives like Texas Interns Unite! and the Skills Development Fund that help companies upskill their workforce, create new jobs and provide them with the support they need to bolster the Texas economy.”
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities saw the most growth over the month, adding 15,200 new jobs; Professional and Business Services added 14,900 jobs; Private Education and Health Services added 13,800 jobs; Manufacturing added 8,000 jobs.
Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.1% was higher than the national rate of 3.6%.
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) reported the lowest unemployment rate of 2.5%, followed by Amarillo’s 3.2%, College Station-Bryan’s 3.2%, and Lubbock’s 3.3%. Beaumont-Port Arthur and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission have the highest unemployment rate in the state of 5.8%, followed by Brownsville-Harlingen’s 5.3%.
