Labor Market Intelligence
April 2025 LMI
**Released April 18, 2025. Reflects data from March 2025.**
Coastal Bend Builds Momentum as Job Growth Surges
As of March 2025, the Coastal Bend region continues to exhibit resilience and momentum amid ongoing labor market shifts. The unemployment rate improved once again, dropping from 4.6% to 4.3%month-over-month, with more than 11,000 job openings across diverse industry sectors offering meaningful opportunities for job seekers. The year-over-year unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, reflecting alignment with broader trends across Texas and the nation.
Industries such as Education and Health Services, Professional and Business Services, and Construction remain key drivers of economic vitality, positioning the region for sustained advancement. Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend remains dedicated to fostering regional growth through workforce initiatives and community partnerships.
Regional Insights
Labor Force Trends
Alongside a steady 4.3% unemployment rate, job growth continues to create opportunities for workforce advancement and skill development.
Sectors Driving Growth
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector remains a key focus for long-term growth, with projections indicating significant expansion opportunities leading up to 2032, presenting substantial infrastructure development opportunities.
Wages and Opportunities
- While this marks progress, efforts continue to bridge the wage gap with state and national figures.
- As of March 2025, continued unemployment claims have remained steady year-over-year, adding 255 new claimants for the year, reflecting a stable job transition rate.
Texas Labor Market Trends – Labor Force Market Achieves Record Highs
26,500 ↑
Jobs Added Over the Month
Total Nonfarm Jobs – 14,282,600
192,100 ↑
Jobs Added Over the Year
(+1.4% Annual Growth Rate – Outpacing the National Growth Rate by .2%)
8,400 ↑
Monthly Civilian Labor Force Growth
New Record High – 15,778,500
(+301,400 People added over the year)
The state’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.3% in March 2024 to 4.1% in March 2025, mirroring the broader economic adjustments observed nationally.
National Trends
4.2% ↑
(3.9% – Mar. 2024)
*Reflecting wider economic shifts
Growth in sectors such as Financial Activities and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities at both the state and national levels aligns with the Coastal Bend’s key economic drivers, reinforcing the region’s strong position for continued growth.
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!
**The Texas Labor Market Information Data for April is scheduled to be released on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
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.
Have A Workforce Professional Contact You!
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(361) 882-7491
info@workforcesolutionscb.org
