Austin gained 3,800 jobs in August

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA gained 3,800 jobs last month lowering the unemployment rate by 10 basis points from last month to 7.2%, down from its peak of 7.6% in January 2010.  The growth is considered to be seasonal.  The largest contributors to job growth were the Professional and Business Services (1,300 jobs), Education and Health Services (900 jobs), and the Mining, Logging, and Construction (700 jobs) sectors.  No sector reported a net job loss.  The total number of non-agricultural employment in the MSA grew to 769,200 indicating a relatively strong annual growth rate of 2.5% making Austin the strongest performing Metro out of the 50 largest MSAs in the nation.  Finally, Austin's unemployment rate of 7.2% is still below the state (8.4%) and the national (9.5%) unemployment rates.

Austin gained 4,600 jobs in March

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA gained 4,600 jobs last month lowering the unemployment rate to 7.1%, down from its peak of 7.6% in January 2010.  This is close to the 5,000 job growth projection made in last month’s Job Growth update blog.  The total number of non-agricultural employment in the MSA grew to 760,300 indicating an annual growth rate of -0.1%.  Out of the total jobs gained, 46% was in Leisure and Hospitality, 30% was  in Government, and 22% was in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities.  While the gains may seem positive, they are in line with seasonal patterns.  Next month, we should expect to see at least 4,500 jobs added based on last years’ figures.  Finally, Austin's unemployment rate of 7.1% is still below the state (8.2%) and the national (10.2%) unemployment rates.

Austin gained 5,800 jobs in February

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA gained 5,800 jobs last month lowering the unemployment rate to 7.2%, down from its peak of 7.6% last month.  The total number of non-agricultural employment in the MSA grew to 756,400 indicating an annual growth rate of -0.6%.  More than half of the gain is due to government jobs.  While the gains may seem positive, they are in line with seasonal patterns (e.g. the IRS added staff for the tax season).   Next month, we should expect to see at least 5,000 jobs added based on last years’ figures, especially considering how crazy this SXSW was compared to last.  Finally, Austin's unemployment rate of 7.2% is still below the state (8.3%) and the national (10.4%) unemployment rates.

Austin lost 8,600 jobs in January

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA lost 8,600 jobs last month bringing the unemployment rate to 7.6%.  The total number of non-agricultural employment in the MSA declined to 750,200 indicating an annual growth rate of -1.3%.  Half of the decline is due to retail trade jobs.  However, this is not all bad news.  In January 2009, we lost 12,800 jobs which shows we lost 33% less jobs last month than the same time last year.  Also, majority of the jobs lost was due to seasonal holiday hiring and firing.  Finally, Austin's unemployment rate of 7.6% is still below the state (8.6%) and the national (10.6%) unemployment rates.