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Labor Market Intelligence
May 2025 LMI
**Released May 16, 2025. Reflects data from April 2025.**
Regional Growth Drives Coastal Bend Economy to Strongest Point in Two Years
Regional Insights
Labor Force Trends
The civilian labor force in the Coastal Bend expanded to 267,892 in April 2025—an increase of 6,248 individuals compared to the previous year. Employment also rose year-over-year by more than 6,273 workers, reflecting a labor force prepared for continued development and engagement.
Sectors Driving Growth
Education and Health Services remains the region’s largest employment sector, comprising 29.1% of the workforce and achieving a steady 2.3% growth rate over the year.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities posted significant regional expansion of 17.9%, along with a 0.3% increase within the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
The Leisure and Hospitality sector experienced a 13.2% increase, contributing to the region’s economic diversification and job creation.
Wages and Opportunities
Average weekly wages in the Coastal Bend rose to $1,167—an annual increase of $51—signifying upward momentum. Although progress is evident, continued efforts are essential to closing the gap between regional wages and broader state and national benchmarks.
Small and mid-sized businesses remain a vital part of the Coastal Bend’s economic foundation, with 81.3% of private sector employment rooted in these enterprises—illustrating a thriving, entrepreneurial environment.
Continued unemployment claims remained stable year-over-year, increasing by only 25 claimants, indicating consistent job market transitions and a steady pace of reemployment.
Texas Labor Market Trends – Labor Force Market Achieves Record Highs
37,700 ↑
Jobs Added Over the Month
Total Nonfarm Jobs – 14,320,100
215,500 ↑
Jobs Added Over the Year
(+1.4% Annual Growth Rate – Outpacing the National Growth Rate by .3%)
35,900 ↑
Monthly Civilian Labor Force Growth
New Record High – 15,814,400
(+292,400 People added over the year)
The Texas labor market reached record highs in both total jobs and the size of the civilian labor force in April.
Texas added 37,700 positions over the month to reach a total of 14,320,100 nonfarm jobs.
- The state added 215,500 jobs over the year, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.5%, which outpaced the national growth rate by 0.3 percentage points.
- Texas’ civilian labor force achieved another new record high of 15,814,400 after adding 35,900 people over the month and marking 58 of 60 months of growth. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 292,400 people.
- The state’s unemployment rate declined 0.3 percentage points from 4.2% month-over-month and increased 0.1 percentage point from 3.6% to 3.7% year-over-year.
National Trends
- On the national front, the unemployment rate saw a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from 4.2%in April 2024 to 3.9% in April 2025, reflecting wider economic shifts.
- Growth in sectors such as the Professional and Business Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in April after adding 10,900 jobs. Private Education and Health Services added 7,400 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,300 jobs. In addition, the Mining and Logging industry grew by 1.4% over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 2.2 percentage points.
Why Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend?
Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend is dedicated to building a thriving community by providing accurate labor market data, tailored workforce development programs, and strategic partnerships with employers. Our commitment ensures job seekers are equipped with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed, while employers receive the support to grow their teams and businesses.
With detailed labor market reports, actionable insights, and innovative programs, we’re more than a resource—we’re a partner in progress for the Coastal Bend.
– President/CEO, Ken Treviño
Want to Stay Ahead of the Competition?
Understanding workforce trends is key to making smart business decisions. We offer customized labor market reports to give you the insights you need. Whether you’re looking for an Economic Overview, Regional or County-Specific Report, Industry Trends, Job Growth Analysis, or Occupational Wage Data, we can provide valuable information tailored to your needs.
With data-driven insights, you can identify emerging opportunities, you can stay competitive in today’s market. Let us help you make informed decisions—contact us today to request your custom labor market report!
Labor Market Information Definitions
Not Seasonally Adjusted (Actual) – Data has not been subjected to the seasonal adjustment process. In other words, the effects of regular or seasonal patterns have not been removed from these series. Not seasonally adjusted data is available for smaller geographies, where seasonally adjusted is only available down to the state level. Use this data to view raw numbers, and for geographies smaller than state level.
Seasonally Adjusted – Total employment and unemployment vary throughout the year. For example, higher unemployment in January and February isn’t uncommon because of work in agriculture, construction and other seasonal industries slowing down. Also, both employment and unemployment rise every June, when students enter the labor force in search of summer jobs. Seasonally adjusted numbers also take into account seasonal hiring/layoff patterns that go along with winter and summer holidays. Use this data for month-to-month comparisons for Texas and the United States.
Labor Force – Residents who are at least 16 years old, not serving in the military or institutionalized, and employed or seeking employment.
Download Targeted Occupations List 2024-2025 (PDF)
The targeted occupations list is developed by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend for the most effective use of local workforce development resources. Sources of information for the target list are local area employers, economic development entities, chambers of commerce, community partners, Texas Workforce Commission labor market information regarding the Coastal Bend Counties, and knowledge gained from continuous contact with the above sources.
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info@workforcesolutionscb.org
