Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.8% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 7,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.
Total employment in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX market rose by 13,794 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 4.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.
- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX unemployment rate is 111 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 280 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 4.2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 662,700; +7,900
- Business Services: 514,100; +1,000
- Education & Healthcare: 420,900; -1,200
- Government: 417,600; +800
- Restaurants & Hotels: 311,600; +3,700
- Construction, Mining: 287,900; +5,500
- Manufacturing: 216,300; +2,500
- Financial Services: 168,300; +2,400
- Other Jobs: 118,500; -2,600
- IT & Development: 29,600; +400
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.