The Unemployment Rate Sets at 3.8 Percent in the Laredo Area
Workforce Solutions for South Texas
September 27, 2018
The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry added 200 jobs during August\
LAREDO, Texas — (September 2018) — Workforce Solutions for South Texas announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in Laredo, and to 3.9 in the South Texas area, during the month of August. In both cases represents a decrease of 0.2 percent in comparison with July 2018.
“With a small drop on the civilian labor force as people return to school, it’s typical to see unemployment rates drop. This month 3.8 for Laredo shows that,” said the Executive Director for the Workforce Solutions for South Texas, Rogelio Trevino.
The Texas and U.S. unemployment rate reported an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, showing also a decrease from July 2018.
By comparing it year-to-year, Laredo’s unemployment rate shows a decrease of 0.5 percent from August 2017 to August 2018.
This time the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry added 200 jobs during August, along with the Education and Health Services, and the Government industries who added 100 jobs each one. The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities reported 31,100 employees; the Education and Health Services reported 16,300, and the Government reported 22,900.
“We have over 110,000 people in our labor force employed and that continues to show a vibrant economy for our region,” Trevino said.
Additional statistics for the top industries are:
Trade and Transportation. First Quarter Wages 2018 was $64.9 Million
Government. First Quarter Wages 2018 was $293.1 Million
Education and Health Services. First Quarter Wages 2018 was $109.2 Million
When comparing July 2018 to August 2018, several local industries showed no change such as the Mining, Logging, and Construction (3,900 jobs), Manufacturing (700 jobs), Information (800 jobs), Financial Activities (3,900 jobs), Professional and Business Services (10,200 jobs), and Leisure and Hospitality (12,000 jobs).
“Workforce Solutions remain committed to assisting our local employers with their hiring needs. We are committed to providing a trained and highly skilled workforce for South Texas,” Trevino said.
The Civilian Labor Force in the South Texas service delivery area stands at 122,003 of which 117,292 are employed and 4,711 reported as unemployed.
The South Texas service delivery area (Webb, Zapata, and Jim Hogg Counties) adjusted unemployment rate show a 0.5 percent decrease from the same month in 2017.
The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for September is scheduled to be released on Friday, October 19, 2018.
FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS OR ANY OTHER REQUESTS, please contact Executive Director Rogelio Treviño at rogelio.trevino@southtexasworkforce.org or 956-722-3973.
