(The Center Square) – Another month and Texas again broke its own employment records. Texas also again led all states for job creation last month and over the year.
Texas again set new records for having the greatest number of jobs, the greatest number of Texans working, and the largest labor force in state history.
“Texas continues to lead the nation in innovation and job creation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “The rich diversity of our state is the foundation of our competitiveness. With our young, skilled, diverse, and growing workforce and the broad range of world-class industries investing in Texas, our state is uniquely positioned to remain an economic leader and chart a course through evolving market demands towards an even brighter future. In fact, every region of this great state offers unique strengths and the opportunity for hardworking Texans to aspire and thrive.”
According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Texas Workforce Commission data, last month Texas reported the largest labor force in state history of 15,398,400 after adding 44,800 workers over the month in August.
Texas also reached a new high for Texans working, including the self-employed, of 14,771,400.
Texas also reached a new high for total jobs at 14,239,200 after adding 78,000 non-farm jobs in August, the most jobs added over the month nationwide.
Texas also led the U.S. in job creation, adding 302,400 non-farm jobs from August 2023 to August 2024, leading all states and outpacing the national annual employment growth rate.
Texas’ annual nonfarm growth rate currently sits at 2.2%, outpacing the U.S. growth rate by 0.7%, the TWC said.
“This marks the eighth consecutive month of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 277,900 people,” the TWC says.
“For the last eight months, Texas’ civilian labor force has reached record-high levels,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. “Our partnership with the 28 Workforce Solutions Boards helps to strengthen the workforce by connecting job seekers to rewarding, in-demand careers across our great state.”
The Leisure and Hospitality sector added 15,500 jobs in August, representing the industry with the largest over-the-month increase, the TWC said. Professional and Business Services added 12,700 jobs over the month; Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 9,600 jobs. Construction added 8,300 jobs in August, representing 4.4% growth over the year and outpacing the industry’s national growth rate by 1.6%, the TWC said.
The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, according to BLS and TWC data, for the nation and Texas was at 4.4%, representing an increase from previous months.
Midland reported the lowest not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% in August, followed by Amarillo’s 3.4% and College Station-Bryan’s 3.6%.
The MSAs with the highest unemployment rates are Beaumont-Port Arthur’s 6.5%, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission’s 6.4%, and Brownsville-Harlingen’s 5.6%.
