Texas adds jobs in October; Fort Worth area unemployment steady

Texas’ unemployment rate rose .1 percent in October, while adding 41,700 non-agricultural jobs with significant increases in professional and business services, and education and health services industries.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent in October from 8.2 percent one month prior, but continued to stay below the national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 10.2 percent.

The Fort Worth-Arlington unemployment rate held steady at 8.3 percent from September through October, but has gone up 3.2 percent from the October of 2008 rate of 5.1 percent.

“In October, the Texas job market regained some lost ground experienced over the past several months, although it is too soon to indicate a trend,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken in a statement. “The Texas unemployment rate continued to edge upward as our state continues to feel the effects of the national economic downturn.”

Education and Health Services employment grew in October by 14,900 jobs, and Professional and Business Services added 10,800 positions. Employment in the Financial Activities industry increased by 4,500 jobs, according to a release.

“Reports of job gains in October are good news, and certainly better than the alternative, but we remain concerned about the many Texans who still cannot find work,” said Commission Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton in a statement. “We want to encourage those seeking work to take advantage of the job-search and training services available at our workforce centers across Texas.”