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Texas’ Civilian Labor Force Continues Growth

News Category Press Releases
November 17, 2023

Media Contact: Catherine McKee
 

AUSTIN - The Lone Star State’s seasonally adjusted civilian labor force reached a new record high of 15,162,100 after growing by 20,900 people over the month in October. This marked the 10th consecutive monthly increase and included the addition of 21,100 Texans employed over the month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.1 percent.

Total nonfarm employment dipped slightly over the month with a decrease of 1,300 jobs. As of October 2023, the Lone Star State’s seasonally adjusted job count numbered 14,048,200. Texas was first in the nation in over the year job growth with 391,500 jobs gained. The annual growth rate outpaced the nation’s by a full point, 2.9 percent compared to 1.9 percent nationally.

“Despite a small decrease in payroll jobs, the Texas labor force grew by nearly 21,000 people in October, with no change in the unemployment rate," said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “The Texas economy continues to grow, and there are nearly 480,000 job listings for individuals with the right skills, which TWC can help provide.”

Six of eleven major industries in Texas expanded over the month. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities saw significant growth with 5,300 jobs added while the Information industry gained 2,100 jobs in October. Another 1,500 positions were added in Professional and Business Services.

“Texas continues to outpace the nation in job growth as we expand workforce opportunities in multiple industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “This means doors continue to open for career pathways and for job seekers entering the workplace.”

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) maintained the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.4 percent in October, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 2.9 percent, and College Station-Bryan at 3.0 percent.

“Texas remains the best state in the nation to work, live, and own a business,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “I encourage Texas employers, large and small, to utilize the services provided through the nearly 175 Workforce Solutions offices throughout Texas to hire skilled workers and build upon our state’s economic prosperity.”

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). *All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.

The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for November is scheduled to be released on Friday, December 22, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).

Civilian Labor Force Estimates for Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas Not Seasonally Adjusted (In Thousands)
 October 2023September 2023October 2022
C.L.F.Emp.Unemp.RateC.L.F.Emp.Unemp.RateC.L.F.Emp.Unemp.Rate
United States167,774.0161,676.06,098.03.6167,718.0161,669.06,049.03.6164,753.0159,144.05,609.03.4
Texas15,183.914,605.4578.53.815,178.114,558.1620.04.114,731.814,189.2542.73.7
Abilene82.479.72.73.382.679.72.93.580.978.32.73.3
Amarillo137.0133.04.02.9137.4133.14.33.1135.5131.53.92.9
Austin-Round Rock1,460.01,411.348.73.31,458.01,405.652.43.61,410.51,370.540.02.8
Beaumont-Port Arthur169.2160.48.85.2169.4159.59.95.8166.1157.38.75.3
Brownsville-Harlingen181.4172.59.04.9182.0172.39.65.3176.9168.09.05.1
College Station-Bryan152.9148.34.63.0149.4144.64.83.2148.6144.14.53.0
Corpus Christi205.3196.68.64.2205.3196.19.24.5202.1193.19.04.5
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington4,472.74,311.1161.63.64,462.74,290.7172.03.94,295.04,149.0146.03.4
Dallas-Plano-Irving MD3,034.52,924.8109.73.63,026.82,909.6117.33.92,909.12,810.998.23.4
Fort Worth-Arlington MD1,438.21,386.351.93.61,435.91,381.154.73.81,386.01,338.147.83.5
El Paso379.7363.016.64.4377.5359.917.64.7373.3357.815.44.1
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land3,625.23,476.9148.24.13,632.73,472.8159.84.43,530.33,391.1139.23.9
Killeen-Temple187.5179.58.04.3187.4179.08.54.5183.7175.87.84.3
Laredo119.7115.24.53.7119.7115.04.74.0117.0112.74.33.7
Longview98.994.84.14.199.294.84.34.497.693.73.94.0
Lubbock171.9166.45.53.2171.4165.75.73.3167.8162.35.53.3
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission381.0361.020.05.2381.1359.022.15.8368.6348.120.55.6
Midland115.6112.82.82.4115.5112.62.92.5110.3107.42.92.6
Odessa87.384.52.83.287.184.22.93.484.781.82.93.4
San Angelo57.255.31.93.457.255.22.13.656.254.31.83.3
San Antonio-New Braunfels1,296.81,250.446.43.61,291.51,242.049.43.81,256.61,212.244.43.5
Sherman-Denison67.765.12.53.767.865.22.73.966.063.62.43.6
Texarkana63.160.92.23.563.360.82.53.962.259.72.54.0
Tyler113.8109.74.13.6114.0109.64.43.9112.0107.94.13.6
Victoria45.143.31.73.945.243.41.94.144.642.81.84.0
Waco137.3132.64.83.5137.7132.75.03.7134.2129.54.63.4
Wichita Falls65.062.62.43.765.162.52.64.063.861.52.43.7
Texas Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment Seasonally Adjusted
INDUSTRY TITLEOct 2023*Sep 2023Oct 2022Sep '23 to Oct '23Oct '22 to Oct '23
Absolute ChangePercent ChangeAbsolute ChangePercent Change
Total Nonagricultural14,048,200 14,049,500 13,656,700 -1,300 0.0   391,500 2.9     
Total Private11,979,900 11,981,300 11,640,500 -1,400 0.0   339,400 2.9     
Goods Producing2,009,700 2,010,800 1,942,600 -1,100 -0.1   67,100 3.5     
Mining and Logging225,900 224,500 207,000 1,400 0.6   18,900 9.1     
Construction810,500 812,400 793,500 -1,900 -0.2   17,000 2.1     
Manufacturing973,300 973,900 942,100 -600 -0.1   31,200 3.3     
Service Providing12,038,500 12,038,700 11,714,100 -200 0.0   324,400 2.8     
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities2,804,300 2,799,000 2,746,300 5,300 0.2   58,000 2.1     
Information240,900 238,800 234,200 2,100 0.9   6,700 2.9     
Financial Activities925,200 926,500 891,700 -1,300 -0.1   33,500 3.8     
Professional and Business Services2,144,800 2,143,300 2,105,800 1,500 0.1   39,000 1.9     
Education and Health Services1,914,400 1,914,300 1,829,100 100 0.0   85,300 4.7     
Leisure and Hospitality1,469,700 1,474,700 1,433,900 -5,000 -0.3   35,800 2.5     
Other Services470,900 473,900 456,900 -3,000 -0.6   14,000 3.1     
Government2,068,300 2,068,200 2,016,200 100 0.0   52,100 2.6     

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Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers, and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and its services in coordination with its local workforce development boards network, call 800-628-5115 or visit https://twc.texas.gov/. Subscribe to email updates to receive notifications about TWC programs and services.