The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) witnessed an increase in its employed workforce, marking a 3.6 percent growth in December compared to the same period in 2022, as reported by the Texas Workforce Commission.
This employment surge in the Midland MSA has been a consistent trend throughout 2023, with November reporting a 3.7 percent increase. The Texas Workforce Commission data revealed a rise in the number of employed individuals within the Midland MSA, reaching 113,200 in December 2023, up from 109,200 in December 2022.
Texas maintained its employment growth rate and surpassed the national average by a full percentage point. The state experienced a 2.7 percent annual growth in employment from December 2022 to December 2023, while the nation recorded a 1.7 percent growth rate.
The Texas Workforce Commission highlighted Midland's continued leadership in maintaining the lowest unemployment rate in the state. The December unemployment rate in the MSA stood at 2.1 percent, a decline from 2.3 percent in December 2022 and 2.2 percent in November.
Other Texas cities trailed behind Midland in unemployment rates. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the unemployment rates for the 5 cities are as follows: Amarillo at 2.5 percent, College Station-Bryan at 2.6 percent, Lubbock at 2.8 percent, and Odessa tied with San Angelo at 2.9 percent. The state's average unemployment rate was reported at 3.5 percent.