Texas unemployment for April up slightly to 4.4 percent
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas unemployment rate rose slightly in April to 4.4 percent, the Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday.
The state's jobless rate in March was 4.3 percent. Nationwide unemployment last month was 5.0 percent, officials said.
"Over the month, private employers added more than 8,000 jobs, strengthening the Texas labor market," said TWC Commissioner Ruth R. Hughs. "The fact that our state has added jobs for 12 of the last 13 months is a credit to the diversity and resilience of employers in Texas."
Employment in the education and health services industry was up in April, with the addition of 10,900 jobs. Professional and business services added 6,600 jobs over the month and recorded a 1.9 percent annual growth rate.
Amarillo had the lowest unemployment rate in Texas last month at 2.7 percent. The Austin-Round Rock area had a jobless rate of 2.9 percent.
The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area had the state's highest jobless rate for April at 7.2 percent, the TWC said.
The figures showed Texas employers added 189,600 jobs over the past year.
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The Gayly - 5/22/2016 @ 6:08 p.m. CDT