Texas labor market added 41,800 jobs in May

Nearly 42,000 jobs were added to Texas’ labor market in May, according to the latest estimates from the Texas Workforce Commission. It’s 800 jobs less than were added in April.

As a result of the May increase, the state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment grew to 14,195,600.

Of the 35,900 people who joined Texas’ seasonally adjusted civilian labor force in May, 32,500 were employed. It’s the same number of employed Texans that joined the workforce last month, according to TWC estimates.

“More than 200,000 people have joined the Texas workforce since May 2023, and we continue to lead the nation in year-over-year growth,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate clocked in at 4%. It’s on par with the national unemployment rate. Dallas-Fort Worth’s not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate registered at 3.6% in May and Austin-Round Rock’s was 3.2%.

Trade, transportation and utilities added 13,300 jobs in May. Another nearly 7,000 jobs were added in leisure and hospitality.