AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Texas unemployment rate in February fell to 4.4 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month, showing job growth in seven of the 11 major industries monitored by the Texas Workforce Commission.
The agency said Friday 6,100 jobs were added in education and health services, marking the 37th straight month of gains in those jobs segments. Another 5,500 jobs were added to trade, transportation and utilities industries.
The 4.4 percent Texas unemployment rate compares with the national jobless rate of 4.9 percent.
Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar says Texas has added 170,900 jobs over the past year.
The Amarillo metropolitan area, at 2.9 percent, had the lowest jobless rate in February.
The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area in the Rio Grande Valley was highest, at 7.5 percent.