Texas continues to add jobs, outpace national job growth

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(The Center Square) – Texas again added jobs in January and again outpaced the national job growth rate, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Texas Workforce Commission. 

The federal government shutdown caused compiling and publishing the data to be delayed. 

Unlike previous months, and for the first time in recent history, Texas did not break its own job records in multiple categories. 

Texas also reported job losses in its civilian labor force and high unemployment rates in several metropolitan statistical areas (MSA).

Texas added 40,100 nonfarm jobs over the month of January and hit a new historic high of 14,379,500 total jobs. Over the year, Texas added 112,200 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 0.8%, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.6%, the TWC said. 

“Texas is where free enterprise flourishes and opportunity abounds,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “That is why Texas is a magnet for innovative businesses seeking to invest with confidence and grow jobs across diverse industries. With the Best Business Climate in America and record new funding for our schools, high-demand career training, and critical infrastructure, there is no state better positioned to sustain growth.”

Texas’ civilian labor force totaled 15,955,200 in January after losing 3,400 jobs over the month. Over the year, Texas’ gained 152,000 civilian jobs, according to the data.

“Texas employers continue to spur our state’s economic momentum, adding more than 40,000 jobs across a wide range of major industries,” TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said in a statement. “TWC remains committed to supporting Texas’ pro-growth policies and world-class talent pipeline that make Texas the best place to do business.”

The construction industry reported the largest private sector over-the-month job increase in January after adding 11,800 jobs. The construction industry also posted an annual growth rate of 3.4%, the highest of any major industry. The Leisure and Hospitality and Private Education and Health Services industries each added 10,300 jobs over the month; Professional and Business Services added 10,200 jobs, according to the data.

“The growth we're seeing in sectors like Construction and Leisure and Hospitality is promising, but we need to ensure these jobs translate into real opportunities for Texas workers,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Trevino III said in a statement. “That's why TWC's focus on apprenticeship programs and initiatives like the Jobs and Education for Texans grant is vital, providing the training and resources Texans need to succeed in these growing fields and build lasting careers.”

Texas’ not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.5% but is less than the national rate of 4.7%. 

Un employment rates for several MSAs in Texas were among the highest in recent history and nearly as high as those reported during the COVID-19 lockdown era. 

Eagle Pass MSA’s unemployment rate was 9.8%, followed by Brownsville-Harlingen’s 7.2%, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission’s 6.9% and Beaumont-Port Arthur’s 6%. 

Of Texas’ 30 MSAs, six were below 4%. 

Amarillo MSA reported the lowest rate of 3.3%, followed by Midland’s 3.4% and San Angelo’s 3.5%.