AUSTIN, Texas – According to data released today from the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock MSA* unemployment rate decreased slightly from June 2024 to July 2024, and is now at 3.6%**, as represented by 53,522 unemployed residents. Key takeaways include:
- The Austin metro unemployment rate remains below the Texas (4.4%) and national rate (4.5%) in July.
- According to TWC, the Austin metro lost 12,600 jobs from June to July. The region has experienced an annual growth rate of 1.4%, representing the collective addition of 18,900 jobs since July 2023.
- Furthermore, TWC reports unemployment in the Capital Area/Travis County region*** decreased slightly to 3.5% from June to July, representing 30,670 unemployed residents.
- Note: The unemployment data released today is not seasonally adjusted.
July Job Growth/Losses by Industry in the Austin-Round Rock MSA:
- Monthly Increases: Industries that experienced regional job growth from June to July include mining, logging and construction (400), financial activities (400) and trade, transportation and utilities (300).
- Another industry that experienced monthly job growth is manufacturing (100).
- Monthly Decreases: Government, (-7,700), professional and business services (-4,200) and leisure and hospitality (-800) experienced regional job losses from June to July.
- Other industries that experienced monthly job decreases include information (-700), private education and health services (-300) and other services (-100).
- Annual Increases: Mining, logging and construction experienced the greatest regional job growth over the past 12 months with an increase of 4.4%, followed by government (4.3%).
- Other industries that experienced annual job growth include leisure and hospitality (3.5%), other services (3.2%), private education and health services (2.8%), financial activities (1.6%), trade, transportation and utilities (1.0%) and manufacturing (0.1%).
- Annual Decreases: Information (-5.8%) and professional and business services (-1.5%) experienced an annual decrease from July 2023 to July 2024.
On Aug. 15, Workforce Solutions Capital Area, in partnership with Google, hosted “Tech Careers Unlocked,” consisting of an IT panel and job fair. Community members were able to hear about how to leverage their skills without degrees and network with Austin’s tech industry experts, including representatives from the Austin Technology Council, Austin Women in Technology, Apprenti Careers, Digio and Epicor.
“We are so thankful to Google for being an incredible workforce partner who has helped us connect job seekers with valuable information about our local technology industry community,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Breaking into tech without a degree can be challenging, but is entirely possible, and this partnership allowed us to prepare our community with meaningful career growth opportunities to thrive in the industry.
The event concluded with a tech job fair, where attendees got the opportunity to connect with employers currently hiring, giving them the ability to grow their income potential and expand their network with representatives from leading IT companies in Austin.
“The demand for skilled tech workers is high in Austin and we see significant growth projected over the next decade,” Mark Sherry, board chair for Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Through events like our recent tech panel and job fair, we remain committed to connecting local talent with opportunities and resources to help cultivate this important pipeline.”
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s career centers across Austin are available by phone, email, or in-person to help residents plan their careers and increase their income, as well as provide employers with tailored business solutions at various levels of support. 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, X and YouTube.
###
*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.
