The economic recovery in Texas continues as 39,300 jobs were added in August, pushing the unemployment rate lower throughout the state, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
In August, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from July. Texas businesses added 39,300 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, making gains in 15 of the last 16 months. This month’s figures show that a total of 681,000 jobs have been added since August 2020.
“The continued decrease in the unemployment rate and the positive job growth is good news for Texas,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. He added that the demand for middle-skill jobs is rising. These jobs require the employee to have less than a bachelor’s degree but more than a high school diploma.
The most significant number of job gains were in the professional and business services industry with 29,600 jobs, followed by the education and health services industry, and then the transportation and utility industry.
“Our Texas workforce is resilient, and opportunities to advance your career or start a new one continue to grow in our state,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Thanks to TWC programs like skills training through Metrix Learning, Texans have access to over 5,000 free courses to learn or refine skills to land the new jobs created each month in Texas.”
In Dallas County, the unemployment rate is at 4.7 for August, decreasing from 5.3 in July. Statewide, the highest unemployment rate is 8.8 for the Beaumont-Port Arthur area. Amarillo has the lowest unemployment rate at 3.6, according to the TWC.
“The continued job growth in Texas shows employers are resilient and have succeeded in navigating the unique challenges of running a business,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “To support our Texas employers, TWC has several programs that offer employers assistance in attracting and retaining skilled talent and customized training that keeps Texas a top destination to do business.”