(The Center Square) – Another month and Texas again broke its previous employment records. In July, the state’s economy also grew at a faster rate than the national rate, having done so for more than 12 consecutive months.
Texas also again set new records for the number of Texans working and the size of the Texas labor force – both the largest in state history.
“Our skilled and growing workforce is a magnet for innovative businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to expand and succeed,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “As a result, Texas employers added jobs at a faster rate than the nation over the last 12 months and more Texans are working than ever before. The diversity of industries growing across our great state is a testament to the resilience of Texas businesses and the Best Business Climate in America. With increasing investments in education, innovation, and workforce training, we continue to build a bigger, better Texas for all.”
In July, Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force in the state’s history of 15,353,700. Texas’ seasonally adjusted civilian labor force reached the new record-high after adding 41,900 workers over the month.
“This marks a seventh consecutive month of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force,” the Texas Workforce Commission said.
The Texas labor force grew by 248,900 over the past 12 months, according to new data released by the commission.
Texas also reached a new high for total number of Texans working, including the self-employed, at 14,731,400.
The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment, referring to the number of filled jobs, decreased by 14,500. But because Texas’ nonfarm job count grew by 265,500 jobs since July 2023, the state’s job growth rate was 1.9%, outpacing the national job growth rate by 0.3%.
While the Texas civilian labor force continues to break records, TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel pointed out that there “are still more than half a million job listings in the state, which create career opportunities for Texans.” Job seekers can find them at WorkInTexas.com.
The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector added 7,300 jobs in July, reporting the largest over-the-month increase of all labor sectors. Financial Activities added 2,500 jobs; Mining and Logging added 1,300 jobs. Construction added 900 jobs last month, showing a 4% increase over the year, outpacing the industry’s national growth rate by one point.
TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza said that the TWC provides a range of services to employers and career paths are continuing to open. “Initiatives like the Skills Development Fund provide Texas businesses the opportunity to administer customized training that best supports their needs,” he said.
“Texas is outperforming the national unemployment rate, which signifies the strength of our labor market,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. “TWC offers a wide array of resources to help job seekers take advantage of opportunities and propel their careers to the next level.”
Texas’ not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was up last month at 4.4%, but still less than the national rate of 4.5%, according to TWC data.
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area again had the lowest unemployment rate of 2.8%, followed by Amarillo’s 3.4% and Austin-Round Rock’s and College Station-Bryan’s 3.6% percent.
The College Station-Bryan MSA ranked first nationwide for having the largest over-the-year percentage increase in nonfarm employment of 6% not seasonally adjusted, the TWC said.
MSAs reporting the highest unemployment rates were McAllen-Edinburg-Mission’s 6.7%, Beaumont-Port Arthur’s 6.6% and Brownsville-Harlingen’s 5.9%.
