The Texas Workforce Commission in a press release stated that Texas had 14.3 million total nonfarm jobs after adding 8,700 positions over the month of July.
Over the year, the state added 232,500 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.6 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.6 percentage points.
Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,848,800 after decreasing by 1,400 people over the month of July. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 195,900 people.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas held steady at 4.2 percent.
The trade, transportation, and utilities industry had the largest over-the-month increase in July after adding 5,500 jobs. Professional and business services added 3,800 jobs over the month while construction added 2,800. In addition, the construction industry grew by 3.2 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by two percentage points.
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.1 percent in July, followed by the Amarillo and San Angelo MSAs at 3.2 percent. Lubbock MSA had an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent.