In July 2025, the Coastal Bend region’s unemployment rate inched up by 0.2 percentage points, moving from 4.4% to 4.6%. Even with this modest rise, the local job market remains healthy, with 11,947 employment opportunities available across a wide range of industries—demonstrating continued hiring activity and strong prospects for job seekers.

When compared to July 2024, the unemployment rate is still 0.4 percentage points lower, down from 5.0% to 4.6%. This improvement over the year highlights steady workforce participation and increased career mobility throughout the region.

Leading industries such as Education & Health Services, Retail Trade, and Financial Activities continue to anchor the Coastal Bend economy, supporting both stability and long-term growth. Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend remains focused on strengthening economic opportunities through strategic partnerships and coordinated workforce development efforts.

Regional Insights

Labor Force Trends

The Coastal Bend’s civilian labor force grew to 266,712 in July 2025—an increase of 539 individuals compared to the previous year. Employment also rose by more than 3,738 workers year-over-year, illustrating the region’s readiness for continued business expansion and workforce engagement.

Sectors Driving Growth

• Construction recorded a 7.6% growth rate over the past year.
• Financial Activities experienced a 2.3% annual growth rate.
• Education and Health Services grew by 1.3%, contributing to the region’s economic diversity and consistent job creation.

Texas Labor Market Trends

8,700 ↑

Jobs Added Over the Month
Total Nonfarm Jobs – 14,333,800

232,500 ↑

Jobs Added Over the Year
(+1.6% Annual Growth Rate – Outpacing the National Growth Rate by 0.6%)

1,400 ↓

Monthly Civilian Labor Force Growth
New Record High – 15,848,800
(+ 195,900 People added over the year)

• Texas reported 14,333,800 total nonfarm jobs after gaining 8,700 positions in July. Over the year, the state added 232,500 jobs, marking a 1.6% annual growth rate—0.6 percentage points higher than the national rate.
• The state’s civilian labor force stood at 15,848,800, a decrease of 1,400 from the previous month but an increase of 195,900 compared to last year.
• In July, the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector led monthly job gains with 5,500 positions. Professional and Business Services followed with 3,800 new jobs, and Construction added 2,800. Over the year, Texas’ Construction industry grew by 3.2%, outperforming the national growth rate for this sector by two percentage points.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Texas remained steady at 4.0%.

National Trends

• Nationally, the unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 percentage point, from 4.3% in July 2024 to 4.4% in July 2025, reflecting broader market adjustments.
• July’s job gains were concentrated in three main sectors: Healthcare, which added roughly 55,000 jobs; Retail Trade, which saw an increase of about 15,700 jobs; and Financial Activities, which expanded by approximately 15,000 jobs.

Why Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend?

At Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend, we remain dedicated to supporting a resilient and growing workforce. The slight increase in our regional unemployment rate to 4.4% reflects an active labor market and greater engagement among job seekers—both signs of continued economic mobility.

With more than 11,800 open positions across key sectors such as Education, Health Services, and Construction, the Coastal Bend remains a region of opportunity. We’re proud to help connect individuals to meaningful employment and equip them with the tools they need to thrive in a shifting economy.

Together with our partners, we’re building long-term strength across the region’s workforce and economy.

– President/CEO, Ken Treviño

Want to Stay Ahead of the Competition?

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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.