The following is a news release from the Texas Workforce Commission:
Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in January and remains below the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1 percent. The Texas economy added 240,500 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs over the year, including 16,000 jobs added in January. Annual employment growth for Texas was 2.0 percent in January, marking 93 consecutive months of annual growth.
“Texas employers kicked off 2018 with the addition of 16,000 jobs in January and 240,500 over the year,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Thanks to our state’s world-class employers, diverse industry sectors and highly-talented workforce, Texas continues to be a national leader in job creation and the premier place to do business.”
Industries adding jobs in January included Mining and Logging, which added 3,300 jobs; Education and Health Services, which added 2,800 jobs; and Manufacturing added 2,400 positions.
“Texas’ private-sector employers contributed to another successful month of growth by adding 12,400 jobs in January,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “This growth reflects our state’s strong ability to continuously attract more employers and workers.”
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.4 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA, which had the second lowest with a rate of 2.8 percent. The Austin-Round Rock MSA had the third lowest rate of 3.0 percent for January.
“The Texas labor market’s 93rd consecutive month of positive annual growth is proof that our Texas workers have much to offer,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “I encourage those looking for career advancements to visit WorkInTexas.com.”
The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for February is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 23, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).
(News release from the Texas Workforce Commission)
