Economic & Employment Data

The Labor Market Information we provide focuses on the thirteen counties within the Gulf Coast Workforce Board region. This data is produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and distributed by the Texas Workforce Commission. Through industry employment and wage data, businesses can review to see how their industries are performing in the economy. Is your business shrinking while others are growing? 

Through occupational wage data, businesses can review to see if their wages are too low, which could cause higher than average turnover for the occupation.  Through analysis of local economic and employment data can help uncover key insight to drive your business and inform your recruiting strategy.  We provide this information free of charge and can work with you one-on-one to determine how to use data and identify and capitalize on opportunities for your business.

Employment Data

March 2024 employment data for the local area was released on April 19, 2024.

March Unemployment Rates: Actual (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

The rate of unemployment in The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA fell three-tenths of a percentage point to 4.3 percent in March.

U.S. – 3.9%
Texas – 4.1%
Gulf Coast Region – 4.3%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA – 4.3%

Other Local Rates

March Over-the-Year Industry Job Count Change
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA – Up 67,800 (2.0%)

Detailed Information

The H-W-S MSA added 1,100 jobs or 0.0 percent in March. The increase was much lower than the historical average increase of 0.5 percent.

Largest March gains were in:

• Government, up 2,100 jobs
• Mining and Logging, up 1,600 jobs
• Construction, up 1,600 jobs
• Private Education and Health Services, up 1,100 jobs

Largest March declines were found in:

• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, down 2,000 jobs
  • Wholesale Trade, up 600 jobs
  • Retail Trade, down 600 jobs
  • Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, down 2,000 jobs
• Professional Business Services, down 1,500 jobs
• Manufacturing, down 1,100 jobs

Payrolls in the H-W-S MSA were up 67,800 jobs or 2.0 percent over the year in March. Nine of eleven industry super sectors were reporting over-the-year increases.

Largest over-the-year gains were found in:

• Private Education and Health Services, up 24,000 jobs
• Government, up 19,500 jobs
• Professional and Business Services, up 6,300 jobs
• Manufacturing, up 5,300 jobs
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, up 4,200 jobs
  • Wholesale Trade, up 2,800 jobs
  • Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, up 1,400 jobs

The only over-the-year declines were in:

• Information, down 1,000 jobs
• Financial Activities, down 600 jobs.

If you have any questions please contact one of our Business Consultants at your nearest career office, or email Ron.Borski@wrksolutions.com. For information on other areas in the state visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics or Texas Workforce Commission.

Labor Market Information

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Profiles: Economic Profiles

For Labor Market Information, contact Ron Borski at:
     Workforce Solutions - Ron Borski
     3555 Timmons, Suite 120
     Houston, TX 77027
     832-681-2535 (Voice)
     832-681-2500 (Fax)
     ron.borski@wrksolutions.com

Regional Data

Historic Employment Data

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