AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Texas' statewide unemployment rate dropped to 8.6 percent in June, according to data released Friday.
"June's labor market numbers demonstrate we are moving in the right direction," Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel said. "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Texas Workforce Commission is committed to adapting to the needs of our great state."
The unemployment rate for the Austin metro area, not seasonally adjusted, fell to 7.5 percent from May's 11.4 percent mark. Amarillo recorded the state's lowest unemployment rate of 6.0 percent, followed by Abilene with 6.4 percent and College Station with 6.5 percent. Odessa recorded the state's highest unemployment rate, at 13.0 percent, with Beaumont-Port Arthur and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission at 12.8 percent.
Texas employers added 243,900 private sector positions last month. Leisure and hospitality, one industry hit hard by the pandemic, added 142,700 jobs last month, while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 44,200 positions, and Other Services added 21,500 positions over the month.
Texas is below the national rate of 11.1 percent.