State Employment Update

Payroll employment in Texas increased during the month of June 2011 by 32,000 jobs, or 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. During the prior month (May 2011), payroll employment increased by 2,100 jobs, or 0.02 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. Over the year ending June 2011, payroll employment increased by 225,200 jobs, or 2.17 percent. Payroll employment in Texas has increased in 10 of the past 12 months, and 16 of the past 24 months.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Establishment Survey measures the number of employees on business payrolls. The survey is better than the Household Survey for measuring changes in employment. The Establishment Survey does not capture self-employed individuals or certain others who are not classified as a wage or salaried worker.

During the month, the Government sector registered the best performance as payroll employment increased by 12,300 jobs. The Other Services sector turned in the poorest performance, as payroll employment declined by 4,300 jobs. Over the past twelve months, the Professional & Business Services sector performed best as payroll employment increased by 49,700 jobs. The Government sector lagged behind over the past year as payroll jobs declined by 20,400.

Texas Unemployment
The unemployment rate in Texas increased to 8.2 percent in June 2011 from a rate of 8 percent in May 2011. The series high for the unemployment rate in Texas is 9.3 percent (November 1986), while the series low is 4.2 percent (January 2001). The state unemployment rate series began in January 1976.

The unemployment rate is published as part of the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly Employment Situation release and is derived from the Bureau's Household Survey.