(The Center Square) – Month after month, Texas breaks its own previous employment records. May was no different.
Last month, Texas broke its previous record for having the greatest number of total jobs, the greatest number of Texans working and the greatest total labor force in state history.
May also marked another milestone: Texas set a record high job count for six months in a row, according to the latest data from the Texas Workforce Commission.
The Texas labor market set new record highs in both total jobs and the size of the civilian labor force in May, TWC said.
Texas added 28,100 positions over the month to reach a new high for total nonfarm jobs of 14,340,800. Texas’ civilian labor force added 24,900 people over the month, marking 59 of 61 months of growth. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force added 270,900 people.
Texas added 213,300 nonfarm jobs over the year, leaving the annual nonfarm growth rate unchanged at 1.5%, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.4%.
Texas also reached a new record high for having the largest labor force in state history of 15,839,400.
Texas also reached a new high for Texans working, including self-employed, at 15,192,300.
Gov. Greg Abbott again praised Texas’ economic momentum, saying, “The most important measure of Texas’ economic momentum is the number of Texans working. Businesses invest with certainty and grow jobs in Texas thanks to the strength of our economy, the range of industries expanding here, and the depth of our skilled and growing workforce. We will build on this momentum to attract continued business investment and create even more good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans for decades to come.”
“With more than 28,000 jobs added across nearly all major industries over the month, Texas exhibits a skilled workforce,” TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel said. “Texas continues to be a top state for growth and economic success with thousands of jobs added by employers in May.”
The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry added the largest over-the-month increase of 8,400 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 8,200 jobs; Private Education and Health Services added 4,300. The Construction industry grew by 3.4% over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 1.9 percentage points.
“Texas employers are pioneering new technologies, embracing innovation, and creating tens of thousands of new jobs in the process,” TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza said. “As Texas businesses define the cutting edge of an evolving, global market, TWC resources like Skills Development Fund grants and Upskill Texas are helping them meet their workforce needs.”
The state is also investing is assisting workers, TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. “Through strategic investments in apprenticeships and training, we’re empowering Texas workers with the skills they need to thrive in high-paying, fulfilling careers, ensuring the state remains a beacon of economic opportunity for all.”
The Texas not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4%, the same as the national rate.
The Metropolitan Statistical Areas with the lowest not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate were Midland’s 3%, followed by Amarillo’s and San Angelo’s 3.1%. MSAs with the highest rates were Eagle Pass’ 9.9%, Brownsville-Harlingen’s 7% and McAllen-Edinburgh-Missions’ 6%.
The employment data was released after Texas received a top business ranking award for the 12th year in a row for record job creation and capital investment, The Center Square reported.
