Texas Unemployment Holds Steady At 4.3 Percent
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AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas unemployment rate held steady in March at 4.3 percent, the Texas Workforce Commission announced Friday.
The figure matches the revised statewide jobless rate for February. Nationwide unemployment last month was 5 percent, according to the TWC.
"The Texas unemployment rate continues to trend below the national average," said Andres Alcantar, Texas Workforce Commission chairman. "TWC remains focused on working with industry and education partners to create innovative solutions to our workforce needs around the state."
Texas has added an estimated 185,000 seasonally adjusted jobs over the past year, an agency statement said.
"We are continuing to see low unemployment rates, coupled with a growing labor force," said Commissioner Julian Alvarez.
Employment in the leisure and hospitality industry rose by 2,400 jobs in March, an increase for the 12th consecutive month. The industry, over the year, gained 75,600 jobs.
The state's total nonfarm seasonally adjusted employment decreased by 12,000 jobs in March, according to the TWC estimate.
Amarillo had the lowest unemployment statewide in March at 3.0 percent. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area had the highest jobless rate in Texas at 7.6 percent, a TWC statement said.
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