SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio metro area unemployment rate decreased to 5.1 percent in August, according to information released Wednesday by Workforce Solutions Alamo.
The unemployment rate is down from 5.2 percent in July.
Total non-agricultural employment in the San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA increased by 4,200 jobs (or 0.5 percent) over-the-month to 932,300, while annual job growth remained strong, according to Workforce Solutions Alamo, with 24,300 more jobs in the metro region (or 2.7 percent) since August 2013.
"Construction jobs jumped up 2.7 percent in one month, or 1,200 jobs," said Workforce Solutions Alamo Communications Manager Eva Esquivel. "We have not seen such an increase in construction jobs since June 2007 data when the difference was plus 1,300 jobs between May and June."
The largest job increases in August occurred in trade, transportation and utilities, which reported 1,900 jobs (or 1.2 percent). Officials said the industry also reports 5,800 more jobs (3.8 percent) over-the-year.
Financial activities followed in job quantity with 1,400 more jobs (or 1.8 percent) since July, and 2,500 more jobs (or 3.3 percent) since the same time last year. Workforce Solutions Alamo said professional and business services added 1,000 jobs (or 0.9 percent) in August, and maintains a positive 4,400 jobs (or 4.0 percent) over-the-year. The diversity of the job growth in the Alamo region continues, officials said.
However, Workforce Solutions Alamo reported job losses did occur in leisure and hospitality as the peak visitor season began to end with 1,500 less jobs (or -1.2 percent) between July and August, but a robust 6,400 added jobs (or 5.3 percent) over-the-year.
Comparing the Workforce Solutions Alamo metro area to the state and nation, the Texas unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate decreased to 5.5 percent in August, down from 5.6 percent in July.
Officials said the nation's unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate also decreased to 6.3 percent in August, down from 6.5 percent reported in July. Comparatively, the state and nation release seasonally adjusted unemployment rates with Texas increasing to 5.3 percent in August, and the nation's unemployment rate decreasing to 6.1 percent.