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

December 2024 employment data for the local area was released on January 24, 2024.

December Unemployment Rates: Actual (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

The rate of unemployment in The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA fell four-tenths of a percentage point to 4.1 percent in December, three-tenths of a percentage point higher than a year earlier.

U.S. – 3.8%
Texas – 3.7%
Gulf Coast Region – 4.1%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA – 4.1%

Other Local Rates

December Over-the-Year Industry Job Count Change
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA – Up 57,800 (1.7%)

Detailed Information

The H-W-S MSA added 5,700 jobs in December. The 0.2 percent increase was weaker than the pre-pandemic historical average of 0.4 percent.

Largest November increases were found in:

• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, up 11,500 jobs
  • Wholesale Trade, up 1,600 jobs
  • Retail Trade, up 3,900 jobs
  • Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, up 1,400 jobs
• Other Services, up 1,300 jobs
• Government, up 700 jobs
• Manufacturing, up 600 jobs

December declines were found in:

• Leisure and Hospitality, down 2,100 jobs
• Private Education and Health Services, down 1,400 jobs
• Professional and Business Services, down 600 jobs
• Construction, down 400 jobs
• Mining and Logging, down 300 jobs

Payrolls in the H-W-S MSA were up 57,800 jobs over the year in December with the pace of job growth at 1.7 percent. All eleven industry super sectors were reporting over-the-year increases.

Largest over-the-year gains were found in:

• Construction, up 15,200 jobs or 6.5 percent
• Private Education and Health Services, up 10,100 jobs or 2.2 percent
• Financial Activities, up 8,400 jobs or 4.5 percent
• Leisure and Hospitality, up 6,700 jobs or 1.9 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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