Houston’s job growth slowed in May, with the area adding only 3,600 jobs, the lowest increase for May since 2016.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 Houston\u2019s job growth continues to slow as economic uncertainty rises.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>. That\u2019s the lowest monthly total job increase for May since 2016, according to data from the Greater Houston Partnership<\/a>. Excluding the abnormally large gains in May 2020 due to the initial rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>, May job gains have declined since 2018.<\/p>\n Employment increased just 0.86% annually compared to May 2024, lower than the historical average of 1.8%<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Continue reading this story on the\u00a0<\/strong>Houston Business Journal’s website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n