Texas added 21,400 non-farm jobs in August but the state's unemployment rate increased slightly from 4.6 percent in July to 4.7 percent, according to a Texas Workforce Commission news release issued today. The Dallas-Plano-Irving metro district's unemployment rate is 4.1 percent, slightly below the state's unemployment rate, said Sally Bane, economic development director for the city of Plano. “Texas employers added 190,600 jobs over the past year, with the diversity of our economy highlighted by nine out of 11 industries [TWC tracks] adding jobs,” TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said in a news release. “TWC will continue to build partnerships that provide workers with in-demand skills to boost job creation.”

“The fact that our state has added jobs for 16 of the last 17 months is a credit to the diversity and resilience of employers in Texas.” —Ruth R. Hughs, commissioner representing employers, Texas Workforce Commission

Financial activities, a job category tracked by the TWC, saw the largest overall employment increase with the addition of 6,200 new jobs, according to the release. Trade, transportation and utilities— another category tracked by the TWC—added the second-most jobs in August, with 4,000 new positions created. For the second consecutive month, construction employment grew, adding 1,300 new jobs. The Amarillo metropolitan statistical area, or MSA, posted an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in August, giving it the lowest rate in the state. The Austin-Round Rock MSA had an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent during August, giving it the second-lowest rate in during that period, according to the release. Bane said the Dallas-Plano-Irving unemployment rate decreased slightly from 4.4 percent in July 2015 to 4.1 percent in July 2016, while Collin County's unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent. The state's 4.7 percent unemployment rate for August is below the national unemployment rate of 4.9 percent. “Private-sector employment was strong over the year with the overall job growth of 150,900 and 18,500 jobs added in August,” TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs said. “The fact that our state has added jobs for 16 of the last 17 months is a credit to the diversity and resilience of employers in Texas.” For more information, view the TWC report.