AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas unemployment rate slipped to 4.6 percent in June for the second straight month of declines.
The Texas Workforce Commission on Friday reported last month’s jobless figure compares to 4.8 percent statewide unemployment in May. The Texas jobless figure held steady at 5 percent during March and April.
In the Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) the rate was 4.1 percent, up from 3.8 percent in May, but down from the 4.3 percent a year earlier. The Dallas-Irving-Plano MSA rate for June was 4 percent, up from 3.8 percent in May, and the same as the year earlier statistics.
Labor officials say nationwide unemployment during June was 4.4 percent.
A TWC statement says Amarillo and the Austin-Round Rock area had the lowest unemployment in Texas last month at 3.4 percent. State figures show the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area had the highest jobless rate for Texas during June at 8.3 percent.
Education and health services showed the largest private-industry gain over the month with 13,100 jobs added, officials said. Manufacturing had its largest over-the-year employment gain since July 2012 with 4,600 jobs added in June. Mining and logging employment expanded by 4,400 jobs, according to the commission.
“All goods producing industries showed positive employment growth in Texas, including manufacturing, which expanded by 4,600 jobs in June,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “The Texas labor force has continued to provide employers with the skills and expertise needed to keep the Texas economy growing.”
Officials say the Texas economy expanded in June for the 12th consecutive month with the addition of 40,200 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.
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Online:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/