Texas adds 33,100 jobs in April (more than any other state)

TEXAS – Texas added 33,100 jobs in April — more than any other state — despite the federal payroll tax increase, U.S. spending cuts and a global slowdown.

The state also added the most jobs nationally — 326,100 — over the last 12 months, the Texas Workforce Commission reported.

“Texas was the No. 1 state again in job creation,” said Jason Frederick, a senior economist for BBVA Compass bank.

Construction has been Texas’ fastest-growing industry in the last year, adding 41,500 jobs. That made the state No. 2 for the most construction job gains in the last 12 months, after California’s 44,800 jobs, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

Trade, transportation and utilities created the most jobs (16,000), followed by professional and business services (8,000). Government — state and local — also added 4,700 jobs in April and 19,300 jobs over the last year, bucking the national trend.

The Midland area had the lowest April unemployment rate at 3 percent.