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

October 2024 employment data for the local area was released on November 15, 2024.

October Unemployment Rates: Actual (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

The rate of unemployment in The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.5 percent in October. The rate of unemployment in the month of October falls during most years with the current increase in part due to a decline in the number of employed. This was the first October where the number of employed fell since 2013.

U.S. – 3.9%
Texas – 4.1%
Gulf Coast Region – 4.5%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA – 4.4%

Other Local Rates

October Over-the-Year Industry Job Count Change
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA – Up 60,200 (1.8%)

Detailed Information

The H-W-S MSA added 12,100 jobs in October. The 0.3 percent increase was weaker than the pre-pandemic historical average of 0.4 percent and especially low when comparing to the ten-year average of 0.6 percent preceding the pandemic.

Largest October increases were found in:

• Government, up 6,000 jobs
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, up 4,900 jobs
  • Wholesale Trade, up 1,300 jobs
  • Retail Trade, up 3,300 jobs
  • Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, up 300 jobs

October declines were found in:

• Professional and Business Services, down 800 jobs
• Private Education and Health Services, down 800 jobs
• Manufacturing, down 200 jobs
• Other Services, down 200 jobs

Payrolls in the H-W-S MSA were up 60,200 jobs over the year in October with the pace of job growth at 1.8 percent, down from 2.3 percent in September. Nine of eleven industry super sectors were reporting over-the-year increases.

Largest over-the-year gains were found in:

• Construction, up 17,800 jobs or 7.7 percent
• Private Education and Health Services, up 11,700 jobs or 2.6 percent
• Government, up 6,200 jobs or 1.4 percent
• Financial Activities, up 5,700 jobs or 3.0 percent
• Leisure and Hospitality, up 5,500 jobs or 1.5 percent
• Other Services, up 5,300 jobs or 1.5 percent

The only industry super sectors reporting an over-the-year decline were:

• Information, down 500 jobs or 1.5 percent
• Professional and Business Services, down 1,300 jobs or 0.2 percent

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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