Texas job market hits record highs; Amarillo unemployment edges up slightly

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Texas’s job market reached new heights in May, marking the sixth consecutive month of record-setting employment growth, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

According to a TWC report, the state added 28,100 nonfarm jobs last month, bringing the total to 14.34 million.

Officials highlighted that despite the statewide momentum, Amarillo’s unemployment rate experienced a slight increase, rising to 3.1% in May from 2.7% in April. The city now shares the second-lowest jobless rate in the state, tied with San Angelo. Midland reported the lowest unemployment rate among Texas metro areas at 3.0%, though that too increased from 2.6% the previous month.

Lubbock followed a similar trend, with unemployment rising to 3.4% in May, up from 3.0% in April.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. Over the past year, Texas has added 213,300 jobs, maintaining an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.5%, which continues to outpace the national average by 0.4 percentage points.

“The strength of Texas’s economy lies in its hardworking people,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “Through apprenticeships and training, we’re empowering Texans with the skills needed for high-paying, fulfilling careers.”

The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector led job gains in May with 8,400 positions added. Leisure and Hospitality followed closely, growing by 8,200 jobs, while Education and Health Services contributed 4,300 new positions. The construction industry also posted strong annual growth of 3.4%, nearly two percentage points higher than the national rate.

Texas’ civilian labor force reached an all-time high of 15.8 million in May after growing by nearly 25,000 people over the month. The next Texas Labor Market report is scheduled for release on Friday, July 18.