Unemployment Rate Reported a Slight Increase in December

Workforce Solutions for South Texas January 27, 2020

Laredo, TX (Monday, January 27, 2020) — Workforce Solutions for South Texas announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 3.6 percent in Laredo, and at 3.7 percent in the South Texas area for December.

The December 2019 Laredo MSA (metropolitan statistical area) Labor Market Highlights reports a Total Non-Farm Jobs of 107,300.

“As the 2019 year closes out, Laredo and the South Texas Region continue to maintain strong economic growth and unemployment levels equal to or less than those of the rest of the country,” said Rogelio Trevino, Executive Director for Workforce Solutions for South Texas.

In a year-to-year comparison, Laredo’s unemployment rate experienced an increase of 0.1 percent. In December 2019, the Texas and U.S. unemployment rates were reported at 3.3 and 3.4 percent, respectively, with a 0.1 percent change in our country in comparison with a year ago.

The Texas Workforce Commission reported that, “Texas employers added 342,800 jobs over the year. Total non-farm annual employment growth was at 2.7 percent in December and has held at or above 2.0 percent since February 2018.”

“Job orders from local and regional employers have continued to come in, and Workforce Solutions for South Texas continues to provide referrals and placement assistance for our local employers,” Trevino said.

In the Laredo MSA area, the top five industries are:

• Total Trade, Transportation + Utilities Jobs: 32,600
• Total Government Jobs: 23,400
• Total Education and Health Services Jobs: 17,300
• Total Leisure and Hospitality Jobs: 11,600
• Total Professional and Business Services Jobs: 10,600

The Civilian Labor Force in the South Texas service delivery area stands at 125,375 of which 120,699 are employed and 4,676 reported as unemployed.

Job seekers are encouraged to visit the Workforce Solutions Center to find out more about the latest employment opportunities available. In Laredo, the address is 2389 E. Saunders St. with telephone number 956-794-6500. For the Zapata area, visit the center located at 605 US Hwy 83 Suite B with telephone number 956-765-1804; and for the Hebbronville area, the center is located at 210 N. Smith (inside the Him Hogg Library) with telephone number 361-231-7071.

The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for January is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 3, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.