Texas gained 29,500 new jobs in December 2022 and experienced a drop in unemployment, according to a press release from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Unemployment dipped to 3.9% in December, the first time it has fallen below 4% since February 2020.
Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the numbers, saying that Texas gained more than 13 million new jobs in total.
“Texas leads the nation in offering businesses the freedom to flourish and grow,” Abbott said in a statement. “Our skilled and growing workforce is a magnet for job creators. I am proud that we’ve again hit a new historic high for total jobs, putting even more Texans on the path to prosperity. We live in a state of infinite possibilities, and in the legislative session ahead, we will continue working together to keep Texas the land of opportunity.”
The biggest leaders in job growth were the education and health sectors, with more than 12,700 positions added.
“Each month of record employment in Texas creates more opportunities for success for our workforce and employers alike,” Bryan Daniel, TWC chairman, said in the press release. “TWC is committed to providing the resources and programs needed to sustain this growth and keep the Texas economy thriving.”
In addition, financial activities added 6,300 jobs and manufacturing added 5,500.
“Texas remains the best place to do business month after month, thanks to the success and resilience of our Texas employers,” said Aaron Demerson, TWC’s commissioner representing employers. “From lowering taxes for Texas employers to supporting programs that meet the needs of our businesses, TWC is here to help support our economy’s ongoing growth.”
Amarillo and Midland were the metropolitan statistical areas that had the lowest unemployment, at 2.6% each. Austin-Round Rock followed at 2.7% and College Station-Bryan was at 2.8%.
According to the data provided in the press release, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Dallas-Plano-Irving areas had unemployment rates of 3.2% and 3.1%, respectively, as of December 2022. This is a decrease from 3.6% in December 2021.