June 17, 2022

Texas adds record-breaking 74,200 new jobs in May 2022

AUSTIN — Texas added 74,200 total nonagricultural jobs in May 2022 — more than any other state in the nation — according to the Office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and data released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).

Texas has added a total of 762,400 jobs since May 2021. For the seventh consecutive month, the state set new employment highs as total nonfarm jobs reached 13,357,100.

“Texas continues to set records for unemployment growth with more than 250,000 jobs added from the beginning of this year through May,” TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel said. “Training and upskilling are crucial to maintain this level of employment growth, and TWC remains committed to offering innovative training programs.

Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, said that a growing and diverse economy and a growing and diverse workforce are attracting new business to Texas, conditions that should continue to support the state’s long-term economic strength.

“We have a strong and effective partnership between business, government and education that is training and developing workers in Texas to take advantage of this growing and diverse economy,” he said.

In May, Leisure and Hospitality gained 27,600 jobs over the month. Professional and Business Services added 15,300 positions. The Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector grew by 11,700 jobs. Three major industries exceeded their pre-COVID employment levels for the first time in May 2022 — Construction, Manufacturing, and Leisure and Hospitality.

This brought the total to eight industries that have recovered from the pandemic-related downturn, joining Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, Information, Financial Activities, Professional and Business Services, and Education and Health Services.

Texas’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.2%, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points since April 2022.

The Amarillo and Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) recorded May’s lowest unemployment rates in Texas with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.7%. College Station-Bryan reported a rate of 2.9% and Lubbock reported a rate of  3%.

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.