AUSTIN, Texas – According to data released today from the Texas Workforce Commission, the Austin-Round Rock MSA* unemployment rate slightly increased from April 2023 to May 2023, and is now at 3.5%**, as represented by 49,407 unemployed residents. Key takeaways include:
- The Austin metro unemployment rate remains below the Texas rate (4.1%) and was just above the national rate (3.4%) in May.
- According to TWC, the Austin metro gained 3,400 jobs from April to May. The region has experienced an annual growth rate of 4.0%, representing the collective addition of 50,800 jobs since May 2022.
- Furthermore, TWC reports unemployment in the Capital Area/Travis County region*** slightly increased to 3.4% from April to May, representing 28,859 unemployed residents.
- Note: The unemployment data released today is not seasonally adjusted.
May Job Growth/Losses by Industry in the Austin-Round Rock MSA:
Monthly Increases: Industries that experienced regional job growth from April to May include professional and business services (2,000), government (1,900), and mining, logging and construction (1,600).
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- Other industries that experienced monthly job growth include financial activities (900), other services (500) and private education and health services (300).
- Monthly Decreases: Leisure and hospitality (-2,200), trade, transportation and utilities (-900) and manufacturing (-400) experienced regional job losses from April to May.
- Annual Increases: Leisure and hospitality experienced the greatest regional job growth over the past 12 months with an increase of 8.7%, followed by other services (6.0%).
- Other industries that experienced annual job growth include professional and business services (5.4%), manufacturing (4.6%) and mining, logging and construction (4.3%).
- Annual Decreases: No industries experienced an annual decrease from May 2022 to May 2023.
As new hospitals and clinics open in this region in response to Austin’s growing population, the need for healthcare professionals grows as well. Workforce Solutions Capital Area is working to sustain and grow the local healthcare job industry with a ready supply of local talent through its Central Texas Healthcare Partnership. The partnership was founded in early 2018 under the leadership of three Central Texas healthcare industry leaders: Baylor Scott & White Health, Ascension Seton and St. David’s HealthCare with the goal of expanding pathways to good jobs for local residents through awareness opportunities and apprenticeships.
“We are grateful for our healthcare partners’ shared commitment to engaging with our region’s youth to share the quality job options that are available to them here in Austin,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Last year alone, we were able to connect over 350 high school students in career and technical education health science programs to participate in in-person interviews for job opportunities that offer competitive wages and career development pathways.”
Workforce Solutions Capital Area will be hosting a free Healthcare Job Fair on June 22, where anyone considering a career in healthcare can learn about open positions at every level – no experience required. Job seekers can connect with local employers including Austin Regional Clinic, Central Health, St. David’s HealthCare and more. Job seekers are encouraged to register for this event through Eventbrite and bring their resumes on June 22.
“Since the formation of the Central Texas Healthcare Partnership, we have seen
Austin metro nursing graduates nearly double from 596 in 2018-2019 to 917 in
2020-2021,” Melanie Flowers, board chair for Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “We credit this success to increased career awareness workshops and events for middle and high school students to expose them to quality career opportunities in Austin’s most in-demand industries, including healthcare.”
Last year, Workforce Solutions Capital Area was able to serve 13,595 students in five local ISDs to further their knowledge about Austin’s in-demand job industries. These students were able to participate in career activities in and out of the classroom such as career exploration events, field trips to industry work sites, summer internships and more.
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.
