The annual growth rate of Texas jobs was 1.9 percent in February 2017, compared to a national employment growth rate of 1.6 percent, according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University’s Monthly Review of the Texas Economy, compiled by Ali Anari.
This growth translated into an additional 222,400 nonagricultural jobs in Texas from February 2016 to February 2017. In nongovernment jobs, Texas added 189,200 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.9 percent, again higher than the national private sector rate of 1.8 percent.
However, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas increased from 4.6 percent in February 2016 to 4.9 percent in February 2017. The national unemployment rate decreased from 4.9 percent to 4.7 percent in that same time frame.
Other than mining and logging, information, and manufacturing, all Texas industries experienced increased jobs comparing February 2017 to February 2016, according to the report. Texas’ transportation, warehousing, and utilities industry were the top categories for job creation. Leisure and hospitality, education and health services, professional and business services, and financial activities were the next most successful categories in terms of job creation.
As far as Texas cities and job creation, Dallas-Plano-Irving ranked first. It was followed by El Paso, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, College Station-Bryan, Tyler, and Austin-Round Rock.
The actual unemployment rate for Texas in February 2017 was 5.1 percent. For Texas cities, Amarillo was tops with the lowest unemployment rate, with Austin-Round Rock, Lubbock, College Station-Bryan, Sherman-Denison, San Antonio, and Midland following.