AUSTIN, Texas — Texas added 17,800 jobs in May, bringing total nonfarm employment to a record 14.4 million as the state continued to outpace the national annual job growth rate, state officials said Friday.
The Texas Workforce Commission released the data, which Gov. Greg Abbott highlighted in a statement announcing the state’s latest employment gains.
According to the commission, Texas added 98,000 jobs over the past 12 months, representing an annual growth rate of 0.7 percent. The national growth rate during the same period was 0.3 percent.
Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent in May.
The state’s civilian labor force grew by 6,800 workers during the month to nearly 15.9 million. Compared with a year earlier, the labor force increased by 43,500 people. The number of employed Texans, including self-employed workers, surpassed 15.2 million.
Among Texas metropolitan areas, Midland posted the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent in May. Abilene and San Angelo followed at 3.4 percent.
Abbott said the employment figures reflected the state’s economic performance.
“Texas sets new records and powers America’s economy once again,” Abbott said in a statement. “We have a new all-time high of over 14.4 million nonfarm jobs and outpaced the nation’s growth rate for the year.”
Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza said the state’s labor market continues to expand.
“The addition of more than 17,000 positions in May highlights the industriousness of Texas employers and expanding opportunities for Texas’ highly skilled workforce,” Esparza said.
Abbott also noted that the state recently awarded more than $7 million in Texas Talent Connection grants to 27 workforce development and job-training programs.
The governor said Texas also recently received its 13th Gold Shovel Award, which recognizes states for attracting major business investment projects expected to create jobs.
The Texas Workforce Commission said the employment estimates were produced in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and remain subject to revision.
