Texas Job Market: Stable but Stressed

0:00Texas is stuck in a low-higher, low-fire job market right now, where bosses aren't firing folks in big waves or hiring much either. The unemployment rate stayed steady at 4.3% in February, matching the national average. Claims for unemployment benefits are low overall, with 64,489 filed from March 8th to April 4th, non-farm jobs total, 14,354,600, down just 8,500 from the months before. Still, the state grew jobs by 0.5% over the year, beating the U.S. by 4.10% of a point. High living costs, like groceries, rent, and gas, have everyday Texans stressing about work's stability. Unemployment aid kicks in for those laid off through no faults of their own, funded by employer taxes to bridge the gap, till a new gig. Pain hits hardest in big counties like Harris with over 10,800 claims, tarant at nearly 6,000, and Dallas around 5, 1400.

1:03Industries leading claims include food service contractors at 2,900, school bus transport with 2,600, and temp, agencies at 2,500. The Texas Workforce Commission drops the next employment report May 1st, so keep an eye on whether this stall shifts into real motion for workers. Across the state, even listening to El Paso News today, AI-powered local news.