More evidence of the Texas Model at work in today’s jobs report. Highlights include:

  • Texas’ unemployment rate for Sept. 2012 dropped to 6.8 percent, down from 7.1 percent in August and 7.9 percent a year ago. The Texas unemployment rate has been at or below the national average for 69 consecutive months-or nearly 6 years.
  • Of the five largest states, Texas’ unemployment rate (6.8%) was the lowest. The other remaining large states were as follows: California (10.2%); New York (8.9%); Florida (8.7%); Illinois (8.8%).
  • Employers in Texas added 21,000 net new jobs in Sept. 2012. This is the largest month-over-month increase in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Employers in Texas added 262,700 net new jobs from Sept. 2011 to Sept. 2012. This is the largest year-over-year increase in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Commissioner Tom Pauken: “Since last year, the Texas economy has added 272,400 private sector jobs. That’s a 3.1 percent annual growth rate for Texas compared to the national rate of just 1.7 percent.”
  • Industries that added the most jobs in Sept. 2012: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+54,700); Leisure and Hospitality (+50,300); and Professional and Business Services (+47,200).
  • Industry that lost the most jobs in Sept. 2012: Government (-9,700).

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