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New numbers show state up, city and county slightly down

EMPL0YMENT STATS

The State of Texas added almost 35,000 jobs in May, according to figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission on Friday; however the number of people working in Hays County and San Marcos dipped slightly.

The new figures put the state’s jobless rate at 4.1 percent. In Hays County it is 2.8 percent and in San Marcos, 3.0 percent.

A total of 34,700 seasonally adjusted “non farm” jobs were added last month, the TWC says, marking the 23rd consecutive month of employment growth statewide.

In Hays County, the TWC says 108,303 persons were employed in May, 111 fewer than the 108,414 who wore working in April. Between May 2017 and last month, though, the county added 3,816 jobs.

In the city of San Marcos, there were 32,213 individuals employed last month, 33 fewer than the 32,246 employed in April. Over the course of the past year, however, there were 1,135 more jobs in the city.

“Texas employers continue to put the world class Texas workforce to work, adding 34,700 jobs in May and 352,100 over the year,” TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said. “TWC continues to work with our local and Tri-Agency partners to foster innovative strategies to equip the Texas talent pool with industry aligned skills,” he continued.

May’s annual growth in the state’s goods producing industries was strong at 5.7 percent, the TWC said. Over the month, the construction industry added 5,800 jobs, followed by mining and logging with 4,100 positions, while manufacturing employment expanded by 3,400 positions.

In Texas’ service providing sector, education and health services added 8,100 positions over the month, and led all industries in job growth for May. Also within this sector, professional and business services added 4,300 jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality with a gain of 3,500 positions.

“Employers continue to contribute to our state’s great success. Private-sector employers have accounted for the addition of 346,300 positions in Texas over the past year as the state has continued to expand its workforce,” TWC Commissioner Ruth R. Hughs said.. “As employment continues to grow, I invite Texas employers whose workforce is comprised of at least 10 percent Texas veterans to apply for our We Hire Vets recognition program. We want to thank businesses for their commitment to hiring our nation’s heroes and strengthening the Texas economy.”

Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA, which had the second lowest with a rate of 2.6 percent. The Austin-Round Rock (which includes San Marcos), College Station-Bryan, Lubbock, and Odessa MSAs all recorded the third lowest rate of 2.8 percent for May.

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666