Texas Unemployment Rate at 4.8 Percent in January

Texas Workforce Commission • March 11, 2022

Tyler Rate 4.3%, Longview Rate 5.4%

In January, Texas added 29,000 total nonagricultural jobs, making gains in 20 of the last 21 months. For the month, the state exceeded the previous record employment level set in December 2021 by reaching 13,084,400 jobs in January 2022. Texas has added a total of 687,500 positions since January 2021. The seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate for January 2022 was 4.8 percent, unchanged from a revised rate of 4.8 percent from December 2021.


“The Lone Star State continues to set new records for Texans in employment, with January’s total surpassing the record set in December,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Texas has added nearly 700,000 jobs since January 2021 and, while we can’t predict the future, job activity and hiring efforts by Texas employers continues to grow.”


In January, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities gained 12,000 jobs over the month. Leisure and Hospitality added 5,700 positions. Also of note, Information employment grew by 3,300 jobs.


“Texas’ labor market continues to grow and change with the times, and TWC is here to provide our workforce with the resources needed to succeed,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Whether you’re a parent looking for childcare, a veteran seeking new skills training, or are an adult looking for literacy services, TWC is here to help all Texans.”


The Amarillo and Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded January’s lowest unemployment rates among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.3 percent, followed by College Station-Bryan and Lubbock each at 3.7 percent, then Abilene at 3.9 percent.


“Texas continues to add jobs month after month thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of our Texas employers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Whether you are a large employer or small business, TWC is here at both the state and local level to support our Texas employers with training and hiring resources that will help you grow, thrive, and remain successful in the great state of Texas.”


Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.


The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for February is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).


Civilian Labor Force Estimates for Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas Not Seasonally Adjusted (In Thousands)

C.L.F. Employed Unemployed Rate
United States 162,825.00 155,618.00 7,207.00 4.4
Texas 14,385.30 13,690.80 694.5 4.8
Tyler 110.6 105.8 4.8 4.3
Longview 95.9 90.7 5.2 5.4

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The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is currently accepting applications for the Upskill Texas grant program. This technical training initiative provides crucial funding for Texas businesses looking to enhance their workforce's skills and remain competitive in today's rapidly evolving economy. Upskill Texas offers financial support to employers that are: Expanding their operations Retooling their processes Introducing new services or product lines Experiencing organizational structure changes that could avert layoffs Through Upskill Texas, employers may be reimbursed up to $3,000 per trainee for 100% technical training. The majority of the trainees must have been employed by the business for at least six months. To be eligible, businesses must have 100 or more employees located in Texas and provide a 50% employer match, which can include trainee wages and benefits. Private employers may appoint a designee for the grant, including community or technical colleges, third-party trainers, or workforce development boards. Projects can range from $150,000 to $500,000. Follow the link below to learn more.

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After 30 years with the same employer, Ms. Paul never imagined she would have to start over. Her career with a staffing company had been built over three decades of experience in customer service and payroll. Then, without warning, she was laid off. “It was nerve-wracking. I’m a single mom of two. How are we going to survive?” After such a long career with one employer, Ms. Paul wasn't sure where to begin. The job market had changed, and she worried about finding a position that valued her experience while meeting her salary needs. That's when she discovered Workforce Solutions East Texas and the RESEA program. Ms. Paul initially knew very little about RESEA. Through the program, she discovered the resources available through WorkInTexas.com, including the Virtual Recruiter, Resume Builder, job search tools, career exploration resources, and WIOA opportunities. But the greatest impact came from the personalized support of her Career Navigator, Cheryl Jackson. Cheryl helped Ms. Paul update her resume, explore new career possibilities, prepare for interviews, and regain confidence in a job market she hadn't navigated in 30 years. “Cheryl gave me the confidence to job search and interview. Thirty years ago was so different from now, so her guidance was very helpful.” Through career exploration and mock interviews, Ms. Paul discovered opportunities she had never considered and gained the confidence to present her skills to employers. “She gave me the confidence and support I needed.” Today, Ms. Paul is working in payroll and invoicing for a staffing company and will soon take on additional responsibilities in fleet management. What began as an unexpected and frightening transition became a new chapter filled with possibility. RESEA didn't just connect Ms. Paul with resource, it helped her recognize that after 30 years of experience, she wasn't starting over. She was moving forward with confidence. Her advice to others facing an unexpected job loss is simple: “Use all of your resources. You never know where a job will come from, so use everything.” 
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