State unemployment rate at 4.4%

Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas as the nation’s undisputed jobs leader following the release of February employment numbers showing jobs surging in Texas as employers added 49,800 jobs in February. The not seasonably adjusted rate came in at 4.4 percent.

Ten of the 11 major industries added jobs over the month in February. The most significant growth occurred in professional and business services followed by private education and health services, and the construction industry.

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) maintained the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.9 percent in February, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 3.4 percent, and College Station-Bryan at 3.5 percent.

February employment data released by the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows: -Texas reaches a new high with the largest labor force ever in the state’s history at 15,169,200.

-Texas reaches a new high for Texans working, including self-employed, at 14,578,700.

-Texas reaches a new high for total jobs at 14,103,700 after adding 49,800 non-farm jobs in February—the most in the nation.

-Texas added 291,400 jobs from February 2023 to February 2024, the most in the nation.

-February marked job growth in Texas for 44 of the last 46 months.

Texas’ total nonfarm employment grew by 291,400 jobs from February 2023 to February 2024, amounting to a 2.1 percent annual growth rate and outpacing the U.S. growth rate by 0.3 percentage points.

The Texas seasonally adjusted civilian labor force grew over the month by 25,800 people to reach 15,169,200 in February.

This included the addition of 19,800 employed Texans over the month. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate registered at 3.9 percent for the ninth consecutive month while showing a drop from the February 2023 rate of 4.0 percent.

The not adjusted rate was at 4.4 percent.