Texas adds 159,000 jobs over the year, leads U.S. in growth

(The Center Square) - Texas continues to lead the U.S. in job growth, adding 159,400 jobs over the year for an annual growth rate of 1.1%, outpacing the national rate by 0.7%, according to the latest Texas Workforce Commission data.

“The Texas workforce is the envy of the nation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “A skilled workforce and the best business climate in America give job creators the confidence to invest in Texas. That is why Texas leads all states for job creation and why Texas drives economic expansion for the nation.”

Texas added 5,600 nonfarm jobs in August to reach a total of 14,469,300 positions.

Texas’ civilian labor force added 17,100 people over the month to reach a total of 15,932,600 employed. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 10,900 people, the TWC said.

“The addition of more than 159,000 jobs over the year reinforces Texas’ status as a premier destination for employers and a source of ample opportunity for Texas workers,” TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said. “The gains we are seeing across service-based and goods-producing industries highlight how Texas is successfully balancing growth across the entire economic spectrum.”

The leisure and hospitality industry reported the largest private sector over-the-month increase in August after adding 4,900 jobs. Professional and business services added 4,500 jobs over the month. Manufacturing added 2,200, according to TWC data.

“Growth across Texas’s major industries means more opportunities for Texans to realize their full potential,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. “Through our Adult Education and Literacy programs, TWC is empowering workers with the foundational skills and credentials necessary to transition into high-demand, high-growth roles.”

TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett said, “By prioritizing career and technical education, we are equipping the next generation of Texans with the specialized, hands-on skills needed to fill critical roles in our state’s evolving economy.”

Earlier this week, Abbott announced $1.3 million worth of Jobs and Education for Texans grants to four West Central Texas schools to purchase and install equipment to help train students for high-demand occupations such as welders and nurses. It was the latest of millions of dollars-worth of JET grants awarded statewide.

While other sectors have been reporting gains, the upstream sector in the oil and gas industry have reported consecutive months of losses, The Center Square reported. This is due to several factors, including the U.S.-Israel war against Iran and Trump administration tariff policies negatively impacting the industry and oil market.

Additionally, the majority of the state’s population live in a county where employment fell or remained flat over the past year, according to an analysis of employment data by the Austin-based think tank, Texas 2036, The Center Square reported.

Over the past year, employment increased in 103 counties, by 40.6%; declined in 42 counties, by 16.5%; and remained flat in 109 counties, by 42.9%, according to the analysis. There are 254 counties in Texas.

Texas has also consistently reported a higher unemployment rate than the national unemployment rate, and it is often higher than other states’ unemployment rates.

It’s not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.6% remained higher than the national rate of 4.3% in August. Both numbers were down from July.

The same metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) reported the lowest and highest unemployment rates as in previous months.

The Midland MSA reported the lowest not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.3%. Abilene and San Angelo MSAs were 3.7% and 3.6%, respectively, according to the data.

The MSAs reporting the highest unemployment rates were again Eagle Pass (7.1%), Brownsville-Harlingen (6.5%) and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission’s 6.3%.

This story originally appeared on thecentersquare.com.