April unemployment rate in Texas up slightly to 4.1 percent

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The statewide jobless rate rose slightly in April to reach 4.1 percent, the Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday.

A TWC statement says that compares to a March unemployment rate of 4 percent. Nationwide unemployment last month reached a 17-year low of 3.9 percent.

Midland had the state’s lowest jobless rate last month at 2.1 percent, according to TWC figures. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area had the highest unemployment rate in Texas for April at 6.5 percent.

The Texas economy added 39,600 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in April, marking 22 consecutive months of employment growth, labor officials said. Over the year, Texas added 332,300 jobs for an annual employment growth rate of 2.7 percent in April.

The manufacturing industry had the largest private-industry employment gain over the month with 8,600 jobs added. Professional and business services employment grew by 7,500 jobs in April, followed by education and health services with 6,200 jobs.

“The Texas labor force is now approaching 14 million and has continued to provide employers with the skills and expertise needed to keep the Texas economy growing,” Commissioner Julian Alvarez said.

The Texas Workforce Commission on June 15 is scheduled to release statewide unemployment figures for May.

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