Texas achieved an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in March, but Hays County’s was a full point lower at 2.8 percent, Texas Workforce Commission figures indicate. The jobless rate last month in San Marcos was 3 percent.
Hays County’s rate compares to 3.1 percent in February of this year and 3 percent in March 2018. For San Marcos, the February 2019 rate was 3.4 percent and that of March 2018 was 3.3 percent.
Once again, the leisure and hospitality industry appear to be the state’s fastest-growing industry, having added 8,600 jobs between February and March of this year. The industry has seen 104 consecutive months of job growth (dating back to August 2010.)
The construction industry reported a monthly gain of 5,100 jobs and education and health services grew by 6,500 jobs. In all, some 22,600 jobs were created in March, marking the 107th consecutive month of growth for nonfarm jobs.
“Our labor force is thriving, in fact, this month reached 14 million, the highest estimate since 1976. Through a dedication to skills training and a focus on career options, Texas’ labor force remains one of the strongest in the nation,” said TWC Commissioner Julian Alvarez. “TWC is continually committed to developing innovative workforce programs and supporting Texas businesses with a skilled talent pipeline that is unmatched throughout the nation.”
“Year after year Texas ranks among the best places to work in the nation, not only because our economy continues to grow as companies covet our skilled workers but because of continuous investment in our economy,” said TWC Commissioner Robert Thomas, who added that the recent figures show “that our strong Texas economy is creating new and larger opportunities for millions of workers all across our great state.”
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded March’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1 percent, followed by the Odessa MSA which recorded at 2.5 for the second lowest rate. The Amarillo, Austin-Round Rock (which includes San Marcos) and College Station-Bryan MSAs tied for the third lowest rate of 2.7 percent.
