WFS: Labor Market Report for April 2024

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) released the April Labor Market and Employment reports. The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate increased by (.1) to 3.9%. The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by (.1) at 4.0%.

Statewide Overview

Texas had a gain of 42,600 non-agricultural jobs in April and a gain of 306,000 jobs in the past year (seasonally adjusted). This represents an annual employment increase rate of 2.2 %.

Goods-Producing industry sector employment increased by 500 jobs in April with a total of 44,400 jobs gained in the past twelve months. This sector increased at a 2.2% annual rate. The Manufacturing industry had the most job growth for this month with 3,200 jobs added, which had an annual increasing rate of 1.9% representing 18,000 jobs added.

The Service-Providing industry sector increased by 42,100 jobs in April with a total of 261,600 jobs gained in the past twelve months. This sector increased at a 2.2% annual rate. The Private Education and Health Services industry had the most job growth with an additional 12,000 jobs increasing at a 3.6% annual rate. The Trade, Transportation and Utilities industry had the second most job growth for this month with 9,800 jobs added, which had an annual increasing rate of 0.7% representing 19,500 jobs added.

Regional Unemployment Recap: The April unemployment rates decreased in Hidalgo (0.6%), Starr (1.2%), and Willacy counties (0.7%).

Counties

• Hidalgo County decreased by 0.6% to 5.4%.

• Cameron County decreased by 0.6% to 4.8%.

• Starr County decreased by 1.2% to 8.6%.

• Willacy County decreased by 0.7% to 6.6%.

• Webb County decreased by 0.6% to 3.7%.

Cities

• McAllen and Edinburg have the lowest unemployment rate in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) at a rate of 4.0%.

• Mission unemployment rate decreased by 0.5% to 5%.

• Laredo unemployment rate decreased by 0.6% to 3.7%.

• Harlingen unemployment rate decreased by 0.6% to 4.8%.

• Brownsville unemployment rate decrease by 0.6% to 4.9%.

Industry Employment for April 2024

The April 2024 Employment Change Estimates reflect an increase for the border region from last month’s employment estimates. The primary sector with the largest job growth in the border region is Education (Private) & Health Services. The Government (Public Ed, Law Enforcement) sector in the RGV region showed no jobs gained in the McAllen and Laredo MSA and 100 jobs gained in the Brownsville MSA. The April Non-Agricultural jobs total indicates an increase for the total region.

RGV Economy

During the month of April, the RGV’s (McAllen & Brownsville MSA’s) economy experienced a job gain of 2,700 individuals entering the workforce. Workforce Solutions (WFS) directly contributed employment efforts by assisting 657 individuals enter employment. WFS partnered with businesses to address their hiring needs by hosting 8 hiring events with 110 participating employers and 1,038 job seekers in attendance, resulting in 2,350 job offers. Additionally, WFS served a total of 1,472 employers representing 1,317 job openings, resulting in 188 direct hires and another 469 indirect hires.

Editor’s Note: The above report was produced by Workforce Solutions – Lower Rio. Under the direction of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Workforce Solutions – Lower Rio is one of 28 local workforce development boards located throughout the state.

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