Texas added 1,600 nonfarm jobs in July to reach a total of 14.468 million positions, the Texas Workforce Commission reported. Over the past year, the state added 165,600 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national rate by a full percentage point.
Texas' civilian labor force registered at 15.916 million after adding 10,800 people in July. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas was 4.5 percent.
The Private Education and Health Services industry had the largest private sector increase in July, adding 5,900 jobs. Professional and Business Services added 3,600 jobs, while Leisure and Hospitality added 3,400.
"The addition of more than 165,000 jobs over the last year highlights the growth of the Texas economy and the employers who drive it," said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. "By offering resources like our ASCEND grant and Skills for Success program, TWC is ensuring Texas' workforce development efforts evolve in stride with the needs of our private sector partners."
Among major metropolitan areas, the Midland MSA had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.4 percent, followed by San Angelo at 3.8 percent and Abilene at 3.9 percent.