January Workforce Statistics for Texas Released by Texas Workforce Commission

The Texas Workforce Commission released their first report of 2015 this week indicating the state continued the growth of 2014 by adding more than 20,000 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs in January.

The commission reported a total increase of 392,900 jobs in 2014. TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said the continued growth was a testament to the strength and resilience of the Lone Star State’s economy and labor market.

The Trade, Transportation and Utility Industries saw the largest growth with more than 10,000 jobs added. Other notable gains included Professional and Business Services with 4,800 added; Information with 3,600; and Leisure and Hospitality at 1,800 jobs added.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.6 to 4.4 percent from December to January.

Lubbock’s unemployment jumped from 3 percent in December to 3.5 percent in January, but remained lower than the 4.3 percent rate from last year, said the commission.

Midland had the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 2.6 percent with Odessa and Amarillo trailing at 3.3 percent each. Abilene and Amarillo’s unemployment both grew from December to 3.9 and 3.3 percent, respectively, but both cities remained lower than their statistic in January of 2014 of 4.8 and 4.1 percent, respectively.