HOUSTON-GULF COAST REGION*

JUN-Jul
 

April data for the local area was released on May 22nd providing some details on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market in the region.

Payrolls in the H-W-S MSA plunged by 312,100 jobs in April after falling a revised 18,000 jobs in March as many businesses reduce or suspend services because of the pandemic. The 9.8 percent decline is unprecedented far exceeding any one month decline on record. Every industry sector lost jobs with many reporting declines that far surpass anything on record.

Largest April declines were in:

• Leisure and Hospitality, down 117,100 jobs
  • Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, down 16,800 jobs
  • Accommodation, down 9,900 jobs
  • Food Services and Drinking Places, down 90,400 jobs
• Education and Health Services, down 50,200 jobs
  • Educational Services, down 3,600 jobs
  • Health Care and Social Assistance, down 46,600 jobs
• Professional and Business Services, down 23,800 jobs
• Retail Trade, down 23,200 jobs · Construction, down 22,900 jobs
• Other Services, down 20,400 jobs

The dramatic loss of jobs has driven over-the-year declines in the H-W-S MSA to nearly twice as deep as during the Great Recession, down 265,700 jobs or 8.5 percent. added 59,00 jobs over the year.

Over-the-year declines heavily reflected losses due to the pandemic. Largest declines were found in:

• Leisure and Hospitality, down 117,500 jobs
  • Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, down 14,600 jobs
  • Accommodation, down 9,700 jobs
  • Food Services and Drinking Places, down 93,200 jobs
• Education and Health Services, down 35,600 jobs
  • Educational Services, down 3,000 jobs
  • Health Care and Soc10ial Assistance, down 32,600 jobs
• Retail Trade, down 22,200 jobs
• Construction, down 19,800 jobs
• Manufacturing, down 17,300 jobs
• Other Services, down 15,600 jobs
• Mining, down 14,200 jobs
• Professional and Business Services, down 13,100 jobs

For more detailed job growth information see the monthly reports located at www.wrksolutions.com (click on Labor Market Information).

For more detailed job growth information see the monthly reports located at www.wrksolutions.com (click on Labor Market Information).

For more detailed job growth information, see the monthly reports located at Understand the Local Labor Market.

Workforce Solutions is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Relay Texas Numbers:
1-800-735-2989 (TDD) • 1-800-735-2988 (voice) • 7-1-1

1. Monthly data is not available at the thirteen county Gulf Coast Region level and is only provided for The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metropolitan Statistical Area (H-W-S MSA). The H-W-S MSA includaes the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller.

NEXT UPDATE:
Week of of JUNE 22ND 2020