AUSTIN, Texas – According to data released today from the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock MSA* unemployment rate decreased slightly from February 2024 to March 2024, and is now at 3.5%**, as represented by 51,652 unemployed residents. Key takeaways include:
- The Austin metro unemployment rate remains below the Texas (4.1%) and national rate (3.9%) in March.
- According to TWC, the Austin metro lost 400 jobs from February to March. The region has experienced an annual growth rate of 2.2%, representing the collective addition of 28,800 jobs since March 2023.
- Furthermore, TWC reports unemployment in the Capital Area/Travis County region*** decreased slightly to 3.4% from February to March, representing 29,881 unemployed residents.
- Note: The unemployment data released today is not seasonally adjusted.
March Job Growth/Losses by Industry in the Austin-Round Rock MSA:
- Monthly Increases: Industries that experienced regional job growth from February to March include leisure and hospitality (2,100), government (600) and other services (500).
- Other industries that experienced monthly job growth include mining, logging and construction (200).
- Monthly Decreases: Professional and business services (-2,100), trade, transportation and utilities (-800) and financial activities (-500) experienced regional job losses from February to March.
- Other industries that experienced monthly job losses include private education and health services (-300) and manufacturing (-100).
- Annual Increases: Other services experienced the greatest regional job growth over the past 12 months with an increase of 7%, followed by private education and health services (4.6%).
- Other industries that experienced annual job growth include mining, logging and construction (4.3%), government (3.8%), financial activities (2.5%), leisure and hospitality (2.3%), trade, transportation and utilities (2.1%) and manufacturing (1%).
- Annual Decreases: Information (-5.4%) experienced an annual decrease from March 2023 to March 2024.
On April 30, Workforce Solutions Capital Area will host “Make it Movement: Build Your Future Hiring Event,” a job fair for youth interested in getting hired in Central Texas. During this event, job seekers will have opportunities to learn about careers, salary ranges, training and education requirements in the manufacturing, mobility and infrastructure and skilled trades industries.
“The mobility and infrastructure sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in Austin, reflecting the city’s dynamic growth and development, so we’re proud to highlight future job opportunities in this and other in-demand industries,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Through hiring events with local workforce partners, our goal is to help Austin-area residents know that with the right skills and education, their opportunities in Central Texas are limitless.”
Make it Movement, a partner of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, is dedicated to unveiling a multitude of high-skill, high-income career paths previously unknown to young individuals. They connect individuals with employers through collaboration and showcase career pathways that play to their strengths.
“There are many great job opportunities in the Central Texas area but tens of thousands of skilled positions go unfilled as individuals can feel lost without a clear pathway to career opportunities,” Mark Sherry, board chair for Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Workforce Solutions Capital Area hosts numerous hiring events to help Central Texans land meaningful jobs that will start their career pathways.”
Those interested can register or learn more about this job fair by visiting: www.eventbrite.com/e/make-it-movement-build-your-future-hiring-event-tickets-863108018317
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s three career centers across Austin are available by phone, email, or in-person to serve residents and businesses impacted by economic changes caused by COVID-19. Residents seeking assistance can contact 512-454-9675 or visit wfscapitalarea.com to learn about services and resources for job seekers, employers, parents, and students.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves as the leadership and governing body for the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. They are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Learn more at WFSCapitalArea.com and follow along on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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*The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.
**Unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted.
***The Capital Area Workforce Development Area includes Travis County.
