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Texas Employers Add 33,100 Jobs in April State Annual Growth Above 2.5 Percent Since Beginning of 2012

AUSTIN — Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment expanded by 33,100 jobs in April. Texas added 326,100 jobs from April 2012 to April 2013. The state’s annual growth rate in April stood at 3.0 percent, and has been above 2.5 percent since the beginning of 2012. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in April at 6.4 percent. It remains well below the nation’s April unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.

“All major industries in Texas added jobs over the last 12 months and our civilian labor force is at an all-time high with more than 12.7 million workers,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “This is an encouraging period of growth for our state and we will work with our partners to keep Texas the top choice for business in the country.”
Over the month, eight of the 11 major industries in Texas saw positive growth.

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 16,000 jobs in April. The state’s largest industry, it has grown by 58,400 jobs over the year.

“We’re continuing to see strong growth in the Construction industry, which is driven in part by our state’s growing population and expanding businesses,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “Over the year, Construction has been the state’s fastest growing major industry, with a 7.1 percent annual growth rate.”

Mining and Logging, which includes oil and gas related jobs, has added 16,800 jobs over the year, including 2,500 in April. Professional and Business Services increased employment by 8,000 jobs in April, for a total of 62,000 jobs added over the year. Education and Health Services expanded for the ninth month in a row with 1,900 positions added, while Information employment rose by 1,400 jobs.

Financial Activities expanded by 1,300 payroll jobs.

“The private sector continues to drive job growth here in Texas, adding more than 28,000 jobs in April, for a boost of more than 300,000 positions over the year,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Hope Andrade. “I applaud the efforts of private sector employers to expand opportunities for Texas workers and encourage them to utilize TWC as a resource.”

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest April unemployment rate in the state at 3.0 percent. The Odessa MSA came in second at 3.7 percent and the Amarillo MSA third at 4.4 percent (not seasonally adjusted).

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