Texas jobless rate drops to 8 percent

The San Marcos Daily Herald reports that Texas' jobless rate has dipped to 8 percent:

The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 8.0 percent for April, down from 8.1 percent in March, and from 8.2 percent a year ago.

April was the third consecutive month that the Texas unemployment rate decreased, as it remained below the U.S. unemployment rate for April of 9.0 percent.

Texas total nonfarm employment was up by 32,900 jobs in April for a total gain of 254,400 jobs from a year ago.

Employment in trade, transportation, and utilities increased by 17,900 jobs in April for a total of 48,700 positions added over the year; education and health services employment rose by 11,300 jobs in April for a total of 49,000 jobs added this year and an annual job growth rate of 3.6 percent.

Professional and business services employers added 8,000 jobs in April. April also was this industry’s third consecutive month of jobs added.

The lowest unemployment numbers in the state were reported by Midland (4.4 percent) and Amarillo (5.2 percent), where production in the West Texas oil fields is on the rise. Bryan and College Station are also enjoying a low jobless rate (5.7 percent) thanks to a construction boom in the area.

- JP