AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Texas unemployment rate for March held steady at 4 percent for the third straight month, the Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday.
Last month’s jobless rate mirrored statewide unemployment for January and February, according to a commission statement. The nationwide jobless rate in March was 4.1 percent.
The Midland area had the lowest unemployment rate in Texas last month at 2.4 percent. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area had the state’s highest jobless rate during March at 6.9 percent, state labor officials said.
Commission authorities say the Texas economy added 32,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in March, which marked 21 consecutive months of employment growth.
“Texas employers added 294,100 positions over the year with 10 of 11 industries adding jobs in the diverse Texas economy,” said commission Chairman Andres Alcantar, noting that the state has seen broad-based growth across industries.
The trade, transportation, and utilities industry recorded the largest private-industry employment gain over the month with 7,500 positions added. Professional and business services employment grew by 6,200 jobs, according to the commission. Construction employment expanded by 3,800 positions.
Private-sector employment remained strong over the month with 30,600 jobs added in March, officials said.
April jobless figures for Texas are scheduled to be announced May 18.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.