The Texas economy demonstrated solid performance throughout 2024, with the state job count increasing by 2% and adding 284,200 jobs, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News. This growth outpaced the national average by a notable 0.6 percentage points. December alone witnessed the addition of 37,500 positions, contributing to a record high of 14.32 million jobs in the state by year-end.
In a statement obtained by the Express-News, Texas Workforce Chairman Bryan Daniel underscored the robust nature of the economy, saying, "This new record-high level for jobs and the civilian labor force shows the strength of Texas' economy." Efforts to actively connect job seekers with employers have played a role in maintaining this momentum. Despite this positive outlook, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate cautiously remained at 4.2%, slightly above the national average.
According to recent data from the Texas Workforce Commission shared by MyHighPlains, Amarillo's unemployment rate dropped to 2.6%, marking it as the second lowest in the state. This figure is notably lower than the statewide unemployment rate and reflects the sustained growth of the labor force, which added 39,900 people in December, reaching a new high of 15,575,900.
The job growth has been led by various sectors with Professional and Business Services at the forefront, adding 17,800 jobs in December. "Texas employers are creating jobs at a rate that outpaces the nation," TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza told MyHighPlains. Key industries such as Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, and Leisure and Hospitality also showed significant employment increases during the same period. Among metropolitan areas, Midland boasted the state's lowest unemployment rate at 2.4%.
Meanwhile, job seekers have been encouraged to take advantage of the resources provided by TWC to secure career opportunities in line with their skills. "I encourage job seekers to leverage TWC resources to find rewarding career opportunities that best match their skills," TWC Commissioner Representing Labor, Alberto Treviño III, remarked in an interview with the Express-News. For those interested in more detailed employment data, access to the Texas Labor Market Information website has been recommended.
