Overall unemployment rate moved up to 7.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 13,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX market declined by 17,135 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 7.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX unemployment rate is 131 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 420 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in June versus prior month by 5.9% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Unemployment June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 629,400; +3,000
  • Business Services: 494,100; +1,000
  • Government: 409,200; -8,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 402,200; +700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 326,500; +13,700
  • Construction, Mining: 270,800; -5,200
  • Manufacturing: 208,200; +1,200
  • Financial Services: 164,200; +200
  • Other Jobs: 110,900; -300
  • IT & Development: 28,800; +200
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.