Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 4.8% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 19,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.

Total employment in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX market rose by 3,290 jobs in July and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 5 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX unemployment rate is 102 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 180 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 6.4% 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 July 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 674,200; +5,200
  • Business Services: 531,100; +5,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 435,700; +3,100
  • Government: 412,500; -19,000
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 354,100; -1,400
  • Construction, Mining: 311,600; +4,500
  • Manufacturing: 227,900; +2,200
  • Financial Services: 172,900; +500
  • Other Jobs: 114,700; -400
  • IT & Development: 32,300; +300
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Unemployment by Industry July 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on September 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.