Houston’s job growth slowed in May, with the area adding only 3,600 jobs, the lowest increase for May since 2016.
HOUSTON — Houston’s job growth continues to slow as economic uncertainty rises.
Non-adjusted non-farm employment in the Houston metropolitan area reached 3.47 million in May, an increase of 3,600 jobs from April, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. That’s the lowest monthly total job increase for May since 2016, according to data from the Greater Houston Partnership. Excluding the abnormally large gains in May 2020 due to the initial rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, May job gains have declined since 2018.
Employment increased just 0.86% annually compared to May 2024, lower than the historical average of 1.8%, with the addition of 29,600 jobs over the past 12 months. That’s just over half of the 57,600-job average annual increase the Houston metro area saw each May during the decade prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, GHP said.
Additionally, Houston’s unemployment rate increased from 3.9% in April to 4.2% in May, according to the TWC. That was higher than the U.S. and Texas rates, which were both 4% in May.
Continue reading this story on the Houston Business Journal’s website.
This story came to us through our partnership with the Houston Business Journal. Keep up with the latest Houston business headlines here.