A M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E T E X A S W O R K F O R C E C O M M I S S I O NIN THIS ISSUE

T E X A S W O R K F O R C E C O M M I S S I O N

L A B O R M A R K E T A N D C A R E E R I N F O R M A T I O N D E P A R T M E N T

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T E X A SA M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E T E X A S W O R K F O R C E C O M M I S S I O N

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Texas Nonagricultural Wage & Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted) . . . . . . . . . . 1Texas & U.S. Unemployment Rates . . . . . . . . . . 2Texas Nonagricultural Wage & SalaryEmployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted) . . . . . . . 3MSA Nonagricultural Wage & Salary Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted) . . . . . . 5Highlights of the Texas Labor Force . . . . . . . . . 8County Unemployment Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9City & WDA Unemployment Rates . . . . . . . . 10Texas Hours and Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11“Happenings Around the State” . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Texas Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment(Seasonally Adjusted)

Total Nonagricultural Employment continued to add jobs for the 13th consecutive month, gaining 8,700 jobs in May. This

followed a revised addition of 22,300 positions in April. Seven of the 11 major industries posted increases over the month with the largest growth seen in Education and Health Services. A total of 84,900 jobs have been created in Total Nonagricultural Employment since January of this year, and a total of 238,700 positions added since May 2007. The annual growth rate has gradually been on the decline, falling from a rate of 3.0 percent in May 2007 to a rate of 2.3 percent for May 2008.

Education and Health Services employment increased by 5,400 jobs in May, following a gain of 700 positions in April. This was the 16th consecutive month of employment growth. The annual growth rate remained unchanged at 3.1 percent, an increase of 38,500 positions since May 2007. Some of the businesses that make up this major industry are private colleges and universities along with business schools and technical and trade schools. Hospitals, nursing care facilities and child day care services are also part of this industry.

Following an increase of 8,800 jobs in April, Professional and Business Services employment posted a gain of 1,700 positions in May. This was the 13th consecutive month of employment growth with an average monthly increase greater than 5,500 jobs. The annual growth rate dropped from 5.5 percent in April to 5.0 percent in May, an increase of 64,500 positions since May 2007.

Leisure and Hospitality added 1,300 jobs in May, marking eight straight months of growth. This increase followed a revised gain of 3,300 jobs in April and was in line with the fi ve-year-average employment gain for the month of May. The over-the-year job growth stood at 38,900 positions, or 4.0 percent, in May.

Employment in Construction grew by 1,100 jobs in May, following a substantial increase of 6,900 positions in April. This industry has recorded payroll expansions in nine of the past 12 months. The annual growth rate has remained in positive territory since November 2004 and posted a rate of 3.6 percent in May. A total of 8,900 jobs have been created in Construction since January 2008, while 23,300 positions were added since May 2007.

Five hundred jobs were added to Other Services in May. Other Services has experienced continued growth, having gained employment in 11 of the last 13 months. The growth for May was greater than both the fi ve-year average and the ten-year average for the month. The growth over the year stood at 4,900 positions, or 1.4 percent.

Natural Resources and Mining employment expanded for the past eight consecutive months, posting a modest gain of 300 jobs in May. Since the beginning of the year, 3,600 jobs have been created in the industry. The annual growth rate dropped from 7.3 percent in April to 6.8 percent in May, for a total of 13,900 jobs gained in Natural Resources and Mining since May 2007.

After a loss of 3,000 jobs in April, Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 100 jobs in May. A total of 19,100 jobs have been created in the industry since January of this year, and a total of 41,300 positions added since May 2007. The annual growth rate dropped slightly from 2.3 percent in April 2008 to 2.0 percent for May.

Information employment remained unchanged in May at 220,600 jobs. Since last May, Information employment added 200 jobs. This was a 0.1 percent annual growth rate. Annual employment increased every month since November 2007.

Government employment experienced a drop of 100 jobs in May, the fi rst decline in three months. Employment in Government has grown by 5,500 positions since January as 12,300 jobs have been added in Government since last May, for a 0.7 percent annual growth rate.

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

5 000

10,000

15,000

Professional and Business ServicesMonthly Employment Change and Annual Growth Rate

(Statewide Seasonally Adjusted)

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

10,000

5,000

0

5,000

Apr

07

May

07

Jun07

Jul0

7

Aug

07

Sep07

Oct

07

Nov

07

Dec

07

Jan08

Feb08

Mar

08

Apr

08

May

08

Monthly Employment Change

Annual Growth Rate

2

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Note: The number of nonagricultural jobs in Texas is without reference to place of residence of workers. Total Nonagricultural employment is additive by summing the individual sectors. *Estimates for the current month are preliminary. All estimates are subject to revision.+All elements of seasonality are factored out to achieve an estimate which refl ects the basic underlying trend.

Note: Only the actual series estimates for Texas and the U.S. are comparable to sub-state estimates. All estimates are subject to revision. In seasonally adjusted estimates, all elements of seasonality are factored out to achieve an estimate which refl ects the basic underlying trend.*Source - Labor Market and Career Information Department, Texas Workforce Commission (model-based methodology)**Source - Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (Current Population Survey)

TEXAS NONAGRICULTURAL WAGE AND SALARY EMPLOYMENTSEASONALLY ADJUSTED+

INDUSTRY TITLE May 2008* Apr. 2008 May 2007 Absolute Percent Absolute PercentChange Change Change Change

TOTAL NONAG. W&S EMPLOYMENT 10,570,400 10,561,700 10,331,700 8,700 0.1 238,700 2.3 GOODS PRODUCING

Natural Resources & Mining 218,200 217,900 204,300 300 0.1 13,900 6.8 Construction 663,200 662,100 639,900 1,100 0.2 23,300 3.6 Manufacturing 929,500 930,500 934,500 -1,000 -0.1 -5,000 -0.5

SERVICE PROVIDINGTrade, Transportation, & Utilities 2,139,700 2,139,600 2,098,400 100 0.0 41,300 2.0 Information 220,600 220,600 220,400 0 0.0 200 0.1 Financial Activities 650,700 651,300 644,800 -600 -0.1 5,900 0.9 Professional & Business Services 1,346,200 1,344,500 1,281,700 1,700 0.1 64,500 5.0 Education & Health Services 1,289,300 1,283,900 1,250,800 5,400 0.4 38,500 3.1 Leisure & Hospitality 1,014,900 1,013,600 976,000 1,300 0.1 38,900 4.0 Other Services 357,100 356,600 352,200 500 0.1 4,900 1.4 Government 1,741,000 1,741,100 1,728,700 -100 0.0 12,300 0.7

Apr. '08 to May '08 May '07 to May '08

TEXAS AND U.S. CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE ESTIMATESTEXAS* UNITED STATES**

Not Seasonally Adjusted CLF Employment Unemp. Rate CLF Employment Unemp. Rate May 2008 11,675,100 11,175,000 500,100 4.3 154,003,000 145,926,000 8,076,000 5.2 April 2008 11,628,800 11,180,000 448,800 3.9 153,208,000 145,921,000 7,287,000 4.8 May 2007 11,407,600 10,952,000 455,600 4.0 152,350,000 145,864,000 6,486,000 4.3

Seasonally Adjusted CLF Employment Unemp. Rate CLF Employment Unemp. Rate May 2008 11,712,100 11,189,700 522,400 4.5 154,534,000 146,046,000 8,487,000 5.5 April 2008 11,675,900 11,194,200 481,700 4.1 153,957,000 146,331,000 7,626,000 5.0 May 2007 11,472,600 10,971,700 500,900 4.4 152,776,000 145,913,000 6,863,000 4.5

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

Texas and U.S. Unemployment Rates(Seasonally Adjusted)

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

Jan-

95

Jan-

96

Jan-

97

Jan-

98

Jan-

99

Jan-

00

Jan-

01

Jan-

02

Jan-

03

Jan-

04

Jan-

05

Jan-

06

Jan-

07

Jan-

08

Texas

US

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

ent C

hang

e

Total Nonagricultural Jobs vs. Civilian Labor Force(Seasonally Adjusted)

Nonagricultural Jobs

Civilian Labor Force

-2.0%

-1.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

Jan-

95

Jul-9

5

Jan-

96

Jul-9

6

Jan-

97

Jul-9

7

Jan-

98

Jul-9

8

Jan-

99

Jul-9

9

Jan-

00

Jul-0

0

Jan-

01

Jul-0

1

Jan-

02

Jul-0

2

Jan-

03

Jul-0

3

Jan-

04

Jul-0

4

Jan-

05

Jul-0

5

Jan-

06

Jul-0

6

Jan-

07

Jul-0

7

Jan-

08

Ove

r-th

e-Ye

ar P

erce

3

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*Estimates for the current month are preliminary. All estimates are subject to revision. The number of nonagricultural jobs in Texas is without reference to place of residence of workers. Estimates of the TWC are in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

May '08* Apr '08 May '07 Change % Change Change % Change

TOTAL NONFARM 10,616,000 10,581,600 10,365,100 34,400 0.3% 250,900 2.4%

TOTAL PRIVATE (total nonfarm less government) 8,847,100 8,811,400 8,609,600 35,700 0.4% 237,500 2.8%

GOODS PRODUCING 1,811,700 1,806,500 1,778,000 5,200 0.3% 33,700 1.9%

Natural Resources and Mining (NAICS 1133 [logging], NAICS 21) 217,600 217,000 203,100 600 0.3% 14,500 7.1%Oil and Gas Extraction (NAICS 211) 79,000 78,800 74,700 200 0.3% 4,300 5.8%Support Activities for Mining (NAICS 213) 127,300 126,700 116,500 600 0.5% 10,800 9.3%

Construction (NAICS 23) 666,000 661,800 640,900 4,200 0.6% 25,100 3.9%Construction of Buildings (NAICS 236) 158,300 158,100 151,200 200 0.1% 7,100 4.7%Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237) 133,300 131,800 125,800 1,500 1.1% 7,500 6.0%Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 238) 374,400 371,900 363,900 2,500 0.7% 10,500 2.9%

Manufacturing (NAICS 31 33) 928,100 927,700 934,000 400 0.0% 5,900 0.6%Durable Goods 617,300 615,300 612,700 2,000 0.3% 4,600 0.8%Wood Product Manufacturing (NAICS 321) 26,500 26,400 27,200 100 0.4% 700 2.6%Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (NAICS 327) 45,100 44,900 44,500 200 0.4% 600 1.3%

Texas Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

Apr '08 to May '08 May '07 to May '08

2.0%

1.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

Jan91

Jan92

Jan93

Jan94

Jan95

Jan96

Jan97

Jan98

Jan99

Jan00

Jan01

Jan02

Jan03

Jan04

Jan05

Jan06

Jan07

Jan08

Primary Metal Manufacturing (NAICS 331) 25,800 25,900 26,100 100 0.4% 300 1.1%Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (NAICS 332) 135,100 134,800 129,500 300 0.2% 5,600 4.3%Machinery Manufacturing (NAICS 333) 96,900 96,300 93,700 600 0.6% 3,200 3.4%Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing (NAICS 334) 109,500 108,800 111,200 700 0.6% 1,700 1.5%Electric Equipment, Appliance, and Component Mfg (NAICS 335) 19,800 19,700 19,600 100 0.5% 200 1.0%Transportation Equipment Manufacturing (NAICS 336) 96,900 97,000 96,800 100 0.1% 100 0.1%Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (NAICS 337) 30,800 30,700 32,100 100 0.3% 1,300 4.0%Miscellaneous Manufacturing (NAICS 339) 30,900 30,700 32,000 200 0.7% 1,100 3.4%

Nondurable Goods 310,800 312,400 321,300 1,600 0.5% 10,500 3.3%Food Manufacturing (NAICS 311) 88,600 88,300 89,200 300 0.3% 600 0.7%Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing (NAICS 312) 11,400 11,300 11,300 100 0.9% 100 0.9%Paper Manufacturing (NAICS 322) 19,400 19,500 20,200 100 0.5% 800 4.0%Printing and Related Support Manufacturing (NAICS 323) 33,000 32,900 34,700 100 0.3% 1,700 4.9%Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing (NAICS 324) 24,600 23,900 24,400 700 2.9% 200 0.8%Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS 325) 74,600 74,900 74,400 300 0.4% 200 0.3%Plastics and Rubber Manufacturing (NAICS 326) 43,800 44,000 45,100 200 0.5% 1,300 2.9%

NaturalResources

&Mining

Construction ManufacturingWholesale

TradeRetailTrade

Transportation&

WarehousingInformation

FinancialActivities

Professional&

BusinessServices

Education&

HealthServices

Leisure&

HospitalityOther

Services Government

-2,0000

2,0004,0006,0008,000

10,00012,00014,000

Statewide Over-the-Month Change (Not Seasonally Adjusted)April 2008 to May 2008

4

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*Estimates for the current month are preliminary. All estimates are subject to revision. The number of nonagricultural jobs in Texas is without reference to place of residence of workers. Estimates of the TWC are in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

May '08* Apr '08 May '07 Change % Change Change % Change

SERVICE PROVIDING 8,804,300 8,775,100 8,587,100 29,200 0.3% 217,200 2.5%

Private Service Providing 7,035,400 7,004,900 6,831,600 30,500 0.4% 203,800 3.0%Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (NAICS 42,44,45,48,49,22) 2,132,000 2,126,300 2,086,600 5,700 0.3% 45,400 2.2%Wholesale Trade (NAICS 42) 520,400 520,200 508,100 200 0.0% 12,300 2.4%Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (NAICS 423) 298,500 298,500 294,800 0 0.0% 3,700 1.3%Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (NAICS 424) 162,600 162,700 159,000 100 0.1% 3,600 2.3%

Retail Trade (NAICS 44 45) 1,176,900 1,172,300 1,148,800 4,600 0.4% 28,100 2.4%Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (NAICS 441) 162,400 161,400 157,000 1,000 0.6% 5,400 3.4%Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores (NAICS 442) 45,700 45,800 44,300 100 0.2% 1,400 3.2%Electronics and Appliance Stores (NAICS 443) 46,200 46,600 44,700 400 0.9% 1,500 3.4%Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies (NAICS 444) 99,100 99,400 96,400 300 0.3% 2,700 2.8%Food and Beverage Stores (NAICS 445) 200,400 198,100 196,300 2,300 1.2% 4,100 2.1%Health and Personal Care Stores (NAICS 446) 64,600 64,400 60,700 200 0.3% 3,900 6.4%Gasoline Stations (NAICS 447) 68,200 68,300 67,900 100 0.1% 300 0.4%Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores (NAICS 448) 118,400 118,300 114,200 100 0.1% 4,200 3.7%Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores (NAICS 451) 34,700 34,400 35,800 300 0.9% 1,100 3.1%General Merchandise Stores (NAICS 452) 258,400 257,600 252,700 800 0.3% 5,700 2.3%Miscellaneous Store Retailers (NAICS 453) 58,900 57,900 58,900 1,000 1.7% 0 0.0%Nonstore Retailers (NAICS 454) 19,900 20,100 19,900 200 1.0% 0 0.0%

Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (NAICS 48 49,22) 434,700 433,800 429,700 900 0.2% 5,000 1.2%Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 48,49) 388,500 387,800 384,700 700 0.2% 3,800 1.0%Air Transportation (NAICS 481) 64,100 64,000 64,300 100 0.2% 200 0.3%Truck Transportation (NAICS 484) 118,400 117,600 117,500 800 0.7% 900 0.8%Pipeline Transportation (NAICS 486) 13,900 13,800 13,400 100 0.7% 500 3.7%Support Activities for Transportation (NAICS 488) 71,700 70,800 69,800 900 1.3% 1,900 2.7%Couriers and Messengers (NAICS 492) 36,300 36,200 36,800 100 0.3% 500 1.4%Warehousing and Storage (NAICS 493) 45,700 45,800 43,300 100 0.2% 2,400 5.5%Utilities (NAICS 22) 46,200 46,000 45,000 200 0.4% 1,200 2.7%

Information (NAICS 51) 220,700 219,700 220,800 1,000 0.5% 100 0.0%Publishing Industries (Except Internet) (NAICS 511) 49,600 49,600 48,600 0 0.0% 1,000 2.1%Telecommunications (NAICS 517) 96,000 95,900 94,800 100 0.1% 1,200 1.3%Data processing, Hosting, and Related Services (NAICS 518) 28,700 28,800 28,800 100 0.3% 100 0.3%

Financial Activities (NAICS 52,53) 650,900 650,000 643,200 900 0.1% 7,700 1.2%Finance and Insurance (NAICS 52) 463,800 463,400 462,100 400 0.1% 1,700 0.4%Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (NAICS 522) 247,600 247,200 245,900 400 0.2% 1,700 0.7%Securities, Commodities Contracts, and Other Financial (NAICS 523) 47,200 47,000 46,000 200 0.4% 1,200 2.6%Insurance Carriers and Related Activities (NAICS 524) 162,000 161,800 159,600 200 0.1% 2,400 1.5%

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (NAICS 53) 187,100 186,600 181,100 500 0.3% 6,000 3.3%Real Estate (NAICS 531) 122,700 122,200 118,700 500 0.4% 4,000 3.4%Rental and Leasing Services (NAICS 532) 61,400 60,900 60,200 500 0.8% 1,200 2.0%

Professional and Business Services (NAICS 54,55,56) 1,348,400 1,345,400 1,279,900 3,000 0.2% 68,500 5.4%Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (NAICS 54) 570,300 572,800 538,800 2,500 0.4% 31,500 5.8%Management of Companies and Enterprises (NAICS 55) 67,000 66,500 64,500 500 0.8% 2,500 3.9%Admin and Support and Waste Mgmt and Remediation (NAICS 56) 711,100 706,100 676,600 5,000 0.7% 34,500 5.1%Administrative and Support Services (NAICS 561) 684,300 679,400 651,300 4,900 0.7% 33,000 5.1%

Education and Health Services (NAICS 61,62) 1,291,200 1,285,800 1,250,500 5,400 0.4% 40,700 3.3%Educational Services (NAICS 61) 150,100 150,200 147,600 100 0.1% 2,500 1.7%Health Care and Social Assistance (NAICS 62) 1,141,100 1,135,600 1,102,900 5,500 0.5% 38,200 3.5%Ambulatory Health Care Services (NAICS 621) 521,300 517,900 498,300 3,400 0.7% 23,000 4.6%Hospitals (NAICS 622) 276,400 275,400 267,500 1,000 0.4% 8,900 3.3%Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (NAICS 623) 157,300 157,300 153,900 0 0.0% 3,400 2.2%Social Assistance (NAICS 624) 186,100 185,000 183,200 1,100 0.6% 2,900 1.6%

Leisure and Hospitality (NAICS 71,72) 1,032,200 1,019,600 995,700 12,600 1.2% 36,500 3.7%Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (NAICS 71) 111,600 105,600 111,900 6,000 5.7% 300 0.3%Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation (NAICS 713) 83,500 78,400 82,600 5,100 6.5% 900 1.1%

Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72) 920,600 914,000 883,800 6,600 0.7% 36,800 4.2%Accommodation (NAICS 721) 103,000 102,100 101,500 900 0.9% 1,500 1.5%Food Services and Drinking Places (NAICS 722) 817,600 811,900 782,300 5,700 0.7% 35,300 4.5%

Other Services (NAICS 81) 360,000 358,100 354,900 1,900 0.5% 5,100 1.4%Repair and Maintenance (NAICS 811) 111,400 110,800 107,800 600 0.5% 3,600 3.3%Personal and Laundry Services (NAICS 812) 93,400 93,200 94,100 200 0.2% 700 0.7%Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Prof Organizations (NAICS 813) 155,200 154,100 153,000 1,100 0.7% 2,200 1.4%

Government 1,768,900 1,770,200 1,755,500 1,300 0.1% 13,400 0.8%Federal Government 187,000 187,600 186,700 600 0.3% 300 0.2%State Government 364,100 366,500 358,600 2,400 0.7% 5,500 1.5%Local Government 1,217,800 1,216,100 1,210,200 1,700 0.1% 7,600 0.6%

Texas Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)Apr '08 to May '08 May '07 to May '08

5

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T E X A S W O R K F O R C E C O M M I S S I O N

L A B O R M A R K E T A N D C A R E E R I N F O R M A T I O N D E P A R T M E N T

T E X A S L A B O R M A R K E T R E V I E W

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Nonagricultural Wage & Salary Employment(Not Seasonally Adjusted)

Total Nonagricultural Employment throughout the MSAs added 32,700 jobs during the month of May, for a gain of 0.3 percent.

All of the major industries exhibited positive monthly growth, with Leisure and Hospitality leading the way with an increase of 11,000 jobs. Education and Health Services and Mining and Construction each added 4,900 jobs in May. The areas with the largest monthly percentage growth were the Midland MSA at 0.6 percent followed closely by the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood MSA, the Fort Worth-Arlington area, and the Wichita Falls MSA, each at 0.5 percent. Since last May, the Total Nonagricultural Employment for the MSAs added 197,200 jobs, for an annual growth rate of 2.1 percent. The annual growth rate has remained at or above 2.0 percent since February 2005. Three MSAs experienced annual growth rates above 3.0 percent: Odessa at 3.7 percent, Longview at 3.3 percent, and Midland at 3.1 percent.

Leisure and Hospitality added 11,000 jobs over the month in the MSAs and made up the majority of the statewide increase of 12,600 jobs. Historically, May has been a strong month for job growth in Leisure and Hospitality as the summer vacation season begins. However, this month’s employment addition was less than the fi ve-year-average increase of 13,000 jobs. The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA had the largest over-the-month job increase with 3,200 jobs added in May, followed by the San Antonio MSA with 1,900 jobs. The Tyler MSA had the largest percentage increase at 2.1 percent. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality grew by 21,600 jobs. The annual growth rate was 2.4 percent. The Wichita Falls MSA experienced the largest over-the year increase at 8.6 percent.

Education and Health Services within the MSAs added 4,900 jobs in May. The largest increases were seen in the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA and the Dallas-Plano-Irving area, with gains of 1,700 and 600 jobs, respectively. Over the year, a gain of 41,100 jobs gave Education and Health Services an annual growth rate of 3.7 percent. During the fi rst fi ve months of 2008, the over-the-year gains in Education and Health Services have surpassed the fi ve-year averages. The Dallas-Plano-Irving area led the over-the-year growth in the MSAs with an annual growth rate of 5.2 percent in May, followed by the Laredo MSA with an annual growth rate of 5.0 percent.

Employment in Mining and Construction continued to expand with a gain of 4,900 jobs in May. The largest increases were seen in the Dallas-Plano-Irving area and the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA, with gains of 1,800 and 900 jobs, respectively. Since last May, the MSAs added 32,200 jobs in Mining and Construction, for a growth rate of 4.4 percent. The annual growth rate has remained above 4.0 percent for this industry since April 2005. Over the year, the Odessa MSA, with 13.9 percent, and the Lubbock MSA, with 10.9 percent, had the largest percentage gains in Texas.

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities grew by 4,300 jobs in May. Within this industry, Wholesale Trade throughout the MSAs accounted for over 40 percent of the increase, adding 1,800 jobs. Within Wholesale Trade, the Fort Worth-Arlington area, the Dallas-Plano-Irving area, and the San Antonio MSA each grew by 0.7 percent in May. Over the year, Wholesale Trade added 13,000 jobs throughout the MSAs, for an annual growth rate of 2.9 percent. The areas that posted a high percentage of annual job growth were the Midland MSA, the College Station-Bryan MSA, the Fort Worth-Arlington area, and the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood MSA, with 6.1 percent, 5.9 percent, 5.6 percent, and 5.4 percent, respectively.

8,000

10,000

12,000

Metropolitan Statistical Area Over-the-Month Employment Change:April 2008 to May 2008 (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

-2,000

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

Mining & Construction

Manufacturing Wholesale Trade Retail Trade Transportation & Warehousing

Information Financial Activities

Professional & Business Services

Education & Health Services

Leisure & Hospitality

Other Services Government

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

9.0%

10,000

15,000

20,000

Mining & ConstructionMonthly Change and Annual Growth Rate

(Not Seasonally Adjusted)

Monthly Change

Annual Growth Rate

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

-10,000

-5,000

0

5,000

May

-07

Jun-

07

Jul-0

7

Aug

-07

Sep-

07

Oct

-07

Nov

-07

Dec

-07

Jan-

08

Feb-

08

Mar

-08

Apr

-08

May

-08

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*Estimates for the current month are preliminary. All estimates are subject to revision. The number of nonagricultural jobs in Texas is without reference to place of residence of workers. Estimates of the TWC are in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. **Metropolitan Division (MD). The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA is comprised of the Dallas-Plano-Irving MD and the Fort Worth-Arlington MD.

May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07

TOTAL NONFARM 3,008,900 2,996,300 2,942,800 2,122,300 2,114,500 2,075,600 2,605,700 2,597,300 2,547,400

GOODS PRODUCING 492,200 488,600 484,000 328,900 326,000 323,600 526,900 526,300 512,500Mining & Construction 196,100 193,800 186,300 131,800 130,000 124,700 291,200 290,300 280,400Manufacturing 296,100 294,800 297,700 197,100 196,000 198,900 235,700 236,000 232,100Durable Goods 210,200 209,000 210,200 139,000 138,000 139,400 154,900 155,100 150,700Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 54,300 54,000 50,200Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing 47,200 47,000 47,800 43,200 43,000 43,700 18,700 18,600 18,700Nondurable Goods 85,900 85,800 87,500 58,100 58,000 59,500 80,800 80,900 81,400

SERVICE PROVIDING 2,516,700 2,507,700 2,458,800 1,793,400 1,788,500 1,752,000 2,078,800 2,071,000 2,034,900

Private Service Providing 2,133,100 2,124,700 2,085,200 1,529,200 1,524,500 1,496,000 1,719,500 1,712,100 1,678,100Wholesale Trade 177,000 175,800 169,700 133,500 132,600 128,500 137,300 136,900 133,400

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 105,300 104,600 100,000 79,400 78,700 75,200 84,000 83,600 82,000Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 49,600 49,600 49,500 37,100 37,100 37,200 40,600 40,600 39,700

Retail Trade 310,300 309,700 308,200 208,000 208,000 207,100 262,600 262,500 257,700Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers 27,900 27,800 27,800 35,200 35,000 35,100Bldng. Material and Garden Eqpmnt. and Supplies Dlrs. 24,900 25,000 24,200 15,800 15,900 15,300 21,200 21,300 20,200Food and Beverage Stores 45,500 45,500 46,700 30,800 30,900 31,200 52,900 52,200 50,000Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores 24,300 24,300 24,000 28,000 27,800 26,700General Merchandise Stores 67,000 66,800 67,100 44,200 44,000 44,200 56,000 55,600 55,800

Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities 141,700 141,100 141,500 76,900 76,700 77,600 125,300 125,100 122,800Utilities 6,400 6,400 6,200 15,100 15,100 14,800

Information 89,400 89,900 88,700 72,900 73,500 72,600 36,900 36,900 37,000Telecommunications 43,000 43,000 42,200 35,600 35,600 35,000 15,900 15,900 15,800

Financial Activities 237,100 236,400 233,000 188,600 188,000 185,300 146,000 145,800 144,200Finance and Insurance 179,000 178,500 176,500 143,900 143,500 142,000 92,700 92,800 92,800Credit Intermediation and Related Activities 94,300 94,000 94,400 73,800 73,500 74,400 45,300 45,300 45,200Insurance Carriers and Related Activities 49,700 49,600 48,400 31,300 31,500 31,200Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 44,700 44,500 43,300 53,300 53,000 51,400

Professional and Business Services 446,500 445,100 437,700 343,600 342,300 336,400 388,300 386,900 377,800Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 186,900 189,000 180,200 152,900 154,500 146,100 178,800 179,200 174,500Admin. Support and Waste Mgmt. and Remediation 237,600 235,100 230,000 170,800 169,000 166,600 195,400 192,500 187,700

Education and Health Services 330,500 329,600 315,900 230,100 229,500 218,800 291,500 289,800 281,200Health Care and Social Assistance 280,100 279,000 267,800 195,500 194,800 184,800 247,500 246,200 238,600Ambulatory Health Care Services 94,800 94,200 88,300 107,900 107,300 102,500Hospitals 68,800 68,700 65,800 44,700 44,600 42,400 68,900 68,800 67,400

Leisure and Hospitality 291,200 288,100 283,600 199,500 198,000 195,500 235,600 232,400 230,800Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 25,200 24,100 24,500 27,200 25,900 27,300Accommodation and Food Services 253,400 252,600 247,200 174,300 173,900 171,000 208,400 206,500 203,500Food Services and Drinking Places 223,000 222,100 216,700 152,700 152,400 149,100 186,600 184,900 182,500

Other Services 109,400 109,000 106,900 76,100 75,900 74,200 96,000 95,800 93,200Government 383,600 383,000 373,600 264,200 264,000 256,000 359,300 358,900 356,800Federal 44,700 44,800 45,700 29,600 29,700 30,000 28,800 28,900 28,300State 47,300 47,400 45,400 36,000 36,100 34,600 72,400 72,400 71,000Local 291,600 290,800 282,500 198,600 198,200 191,400 258,100 257,600 257,500

May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07

TOTAL NONFARM 776,300 774,100 759,500 886,600 881,800 867,200 852,000 848,500 836,400

GOODS PRODUCING 108,300 107,600 109,000 163,300 162,600 160,400 104,000 103,500 102,100Mining & Construction 50,600 50,300 48,800 64,300 63,800 61,600 55,700 55,200 52,800Manufacturing 57,700 57,300 60,200 99,000 98,800 98,800 48,300 48,300 49,300

SERVICE PROVIDING 668,000 666,500 650,500 723,300 719,200 706,800 748,000 745,000 734,300

Private Service Providing 506,000 503,900 491,800 603,900 600,200 589,200 592,700 589,800 583,000Wholesale Trade 41,500 41,400 41,300 43,500 43,200 41,200 29,700 29,500 29,500Retail Trade 82,700 82,500 79,900 102,300 101,700 101,100 98,200 98,000 96,000

Food and Beverage Stores 15,900 15,900 15,700 14,700 14,600 15,500 16,900 16,800 16,700General Merchandise Stores 13,800 13,900 14,000 22,800 22,800 22,900 19,300 19,400 18,500

Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities 13,600 13,500 13,200 64,800 64,400 63,900 22,700 22,700 22,700Information 21,800 21,600 22,200 16,500 16,400 16,100 21,700 21,500 21,900

Telecommunications 6,100 6,100 6,400 7,400 7,400 7,200 6,600 6,700 6,700Financial Activities 46,400 46,100 45,100 48,500 48,400 47,700 65,600 65,300 65,600Finance and Insurance 32,200 32,300 31,400 35,100 35,000 34,500 49,800 49,700 50,100Credit Intermediation and Related Activities 14,200 14,200 13,900 20,500 20,500 20,000 21,800 21,800 21,800

Professional and Business Services 110,000 110,400 105,900 102,900 102,800 101,300 105,700 105,800 105,500Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 58,000 58,000 54,100 34,000 34,500 34,100 37,400 37,700 36,900Admin Support and Waste Mgmt and Remediation Svcs 48,100 47,800 47,500 66,800 66,100 63,400 63,900 63,900 61,300

Education and Health Services 78,900 78,200 76,600 100,400 100,100 97,100 117,500 117,500 113,100Health Care and Social Assistance 69,000 68,500 66,100 84,600 84,200 83,000 101,800 101,400 99,000Hospitals 17,200 17,200 16,500 24,100 24,100 23,400 21,500 21,500 20,900

Leisure and Hospitality 81,800 81,100 79,200 91,700 90,100 88,100 101,300 99,400 100,200Accommodation and Food Services 72,400 71,700 69,700 79,100 78,700 76,200 91,400 90,500 88,100

Other Services 29,300 29,100 28,400 33,300 33,100 32,700 30,300 30,100 28,500Government 162,000 162,600 158,700 119,400 119,000 117,600 155,300 155,200 151,300Federal 12,000 12,300 12,000 15,100 15,100 15,700 29,800 29,700 29,900State 71,400 72,200 70,600 11,300 11,300 10,800 17,400 17,400 16,800Local 78,600 78,100 76,100 93,000 92,600 91,100 108,100 108,100 104,600

Largest Four MSAs Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)DALLAS FT. WORTH ARLINGTON DALLAS PLANO IRVING MD** HOUSTON SUGAR LAND BAYTOWN

AUSTIN ROUND ROCK FORT WORTH ARLINGTONMD** SAN ANTONIO

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INDUSTRY May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07TOTAL 66,900 66,700 66,000 113,800 113,400 112,100 165,700 165,200 165,600 125,700 125,500 123,600Mining & Construction 5,200 5,100 5,000 8,000 8,000 7,900 17,600 17,500 18,000 4,300 4,300 4,400Manufacturing 3,300 3,300 3,300 13,600 13,500 12,200 22,800 22,800 22,900 7,200 7,200 7,500Wholesale Trade 2,300 2,300 2,300 5,400 5,400 5,400 5,000 5,000 4,900 3,200 3,200 3,200Retail Trade 8,600 8,600 8,400 13,800 13,700 13,900 20,100 20,100 20,200 16,500 16,500 16,300Trans., Ware., & Util. 1,700 1,700 1,600 4,000 4,000 4,000 6,100 6,100 6,600 5,100 5,100 4,800Information 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,600 1,600 1,800 2,100 2,100 2,300 1,400 1,400 1,400Financial Activities 3,800 3,800 3,800 7,200 7,200 7,100 6,000 6,000 5,900 4,900 4,900 4,800Prof. & Business Services 4,900 4,900 4,500 8,200 8,200 8,200 16,000 16,000 15,300 8,800 8,800 8,800Educ. & Health Services 13,300 13,300 13,100 15,700 15,700 15,600 22,700 22,600 22,200 29,300 29,200 28,500Leisure & Hospitality 7,000 6,900 7,100 11,800 11,600 11,900 14,800 14,600 14,500 12,800 12,700 12,600Other Services 2,700 2,700 2,700 4,700 4,700 4,800 6,100 6,000 6,000 3,200 3,200 3,100Government 12,900 12,900 13,000 19,800 19,800 19,300 26,400 26,400 26,800 29,000 29,000 28,200

INDUSTRY May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07TOTAL 94,100 94,100 91,600 179,200 178,400 176,700 278,100 277,300 272,100 124,200 123,600 121,400Mining & Construction 7,100 7,000 6,700 21,200 21,100 20,000 15,400 15,300 14,300 6,100 6,000 5,900Manufacturing 6,100 6,100 6,300 10,900 10,900 11,000 19,500 19,500 20,100 8,600 8,600 8,600Wholesale Trade 1,800 1,800 1,700 5,700 5,700 5,500 11,000 11,000 10,800 3,900 3,900 3,700Retail Trade 10,300 10,300 9,600 21,100 20,900 20,500 33,700 33,600 34,100 15,100 15,000 14,900Trans., Ware., & Util. 1,300 1,300 1,300 5,400 5,300 5,500 13,900 13,900 13,700 4,400 4,400 4,500Information 1,100 1,100 1,100 2,400 2,400 2,500 5,000 5,000 5,000 2,600 2,600 2,700Financial Activities 3,300 3,300 3,500 8,200 8,200 8,000 11,700 11,700 11,500 6,100 6,100 6,300Prof. & Business Services 5,800 5,800 5,600 16,100 16,100 16,100 32,200 32,300 31,000 9,700 9,700 9,200Educ. & Health Services 9,800 9,700 9,400 27,200 26,900 26,300 33,100 32,900 31,800 17,000 17,000 16,200Leisure & Hospitality 10,200 10,100 10,000 21,800 21,600 21,400 27,500 27,100 27,100 11,900 11,700 11,300Other Services 2,900 2,900 2,900 6,400 6,300 6,400 7,600 7,600 7,600 4,800 4,700 4,800Government 34,400 34,700 33,500 32,800 33,000 33,500 67,500 67,400 65,100 34,000 33,900 33,300

INDUSTRY May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07TOTAL 88,400 88,200 86,100 98,400 98,100 95,300 129,600 129,400 128,100 217,000 216,800 211,500Mining & Construction 4,500 4,500 4,400 13,000 13,000 12,400 6,100 6,000 5,500 11,700 11,600 11,100Manufacturing 1,500 1,500 1,600 14,000 14,000 13,900 5,200 5,200 5,200 7,900 7,900 8,100Wholesale Trade 3,100 3,100 3,100 4,300 4,300 4,100 6,100 6,100 6,000 6,700 6,800 6,700Retail Trade 13,300 13,200 12,800 11,800 11,800 11,400 16,000 16,100 16,100 32,000 32,200 31,500

LAREDO LONGVIEW LUBBOCK MCALLEN EDINBURG MISSION

Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)+ABILENE AMARILLO BEAUMONT PORT ARTHUR BROWNSVILLE HARLINGEN

COLLEGE STATION BRYAN CORPUS CHRISTI EL PASO KILLEEN TEMPLE FORT HOOD

Trans., Ware., & Util. 12,400 12,400 12,300 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,900 3,900 3,700 7,400 7,400 7,000Information 600 600 700 1,700 1,700 1,700 5,400 5,400 5,700 3,100 3,100 3,100Financial Activities 2,600 2,600 2,800 3,900 3,900 3,800 7,100 7,100 7,000 8,800 8,800 8,800Prof. & Business Services 5,600 5,600 5,500 8,600 8,600 7,800 11,000 10,900 9,900 14,600 14,500 14,200Educ. & Health Services 12,600 12,600 12,000 14,600 14,600 14,300 19,400 19,300 19,100 49,500 49,300 47,200Leisure & Hospitality 8,600 8,500 8,300 8,100 8,000 7,700 15,800 15,800 15,300 18,600 18,700 18,000Other Services 1,700 1,700 1,700 3,400 3,300 3,300 5,200 5,200 5,100 4,900 4,900 5,100Government 21,900 21,900 20,900 12,000 11,900 11,900 28,400 28,400 29,500 51,800 51,600 50,700

INDUSTRY May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07TOTAL 67,500 67,100 65,500 61,300 61,300 59,100 57,200 57,100 56,400 94,500 94,100 93,200Mining & Construction 14,900 14,900 14,300 12,300 12,300 10,800 2,400 2,400 2,400 6,300 6,300 6,200Manufacturing 2,900 2,900 2,800 4,300 4,300 4,200 5,000 5,100 5,300 8,300 8,300 8,900Wholesale Trade 3,500 3,500 3,300 4,800 4,800 4,700 2,400 2,400 2,400 3,100 3,100 3,100Retail Trade 7,500 7,400 7,400 6,600 6,600 6,500 7,000 7,000 7,100 13,700 13,700 13,300Trans., Ware., & Util. 1,900 1,900 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,800 3,000 3,000 2,800 3,000 3,000 3,000Information 1,400 1,400 1,500 600 600 700 600 600 600 2,400 2,200 2,200Financial Activities 3,500 3,500 3,400 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,700 2,700 2,700 4,300 4,300 4,200Prof. & Business Services 7,800 7,700 7,300 4,400 4,400 4,000 3,900 3,900 3,500 8,400 8,400 8,000Educ. & Health Services 6,700 6,600 6,500 5,400 5,400 5,400 9,400 9,300 9,400 19,200 19,100 18,800Leisure & Hospitality 6,400 6,300 6,200 5,800 5,800 5,800 5,600 5,600 5,300 9,600 9,400 9,200Other Services 2,500 2,500 2,500 3,100 3,100 3,100 2,300 2,200 2,200 3,600 3,600 3,600Government 8,500 8,500 8,500 9,600 9,600 9,500 12,900 12,900 12,700 12,600 12,700 12,700

INDUSTRY May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07TOTAL 111,100 110,700 109,200 63,700 63,400 62,500Mining & Construction 5,800 5,800 5,900 4,100 4,000 3,900Manufacturing 15,300 15,300 15,500 8,400 8,500 8,200Wholesale Trade 4,200 4,200 4,200 2,000 2,000 2,000Retail Trade 11,100 11,100 11,000 7,900 7,900 7,800Trans., Ware., & Util. 3,400 3,400 3,200 1,500 1,500 1,500Information 1,700 1,700 1,800 1,400 1,400 1,500Financial Activities 6,800 6,800 6,700 2,900 2,900 2,900Prof. & Business Services 9,300 9,300 8,800 3,800 3,800 3,600Educ. & Health Services 19,900 19,800 19,700 9,600 9,500 9,400Leisure & Hospitality 10,500 10,400 10,100 6,300 6,200 5,800Other Services 4,400 4,300 4,300 3,000 2,900 3,000Government 18,700 18,600 18,000 12,800 12,800 12,900

INDUSTRY May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 May '08* Apr '08 May '07 TOTAL 45,500 45,600 45,300 45,600 45,500 44,300 51,700 51,500 51,400

WACO WICHITA FALLS

Selected Metropolitan Statistical Areas Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Summary Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)++SAN ANGELO SHERMAN-DENISON VICTORIA

MIDLAND ODESSA TEXARKANA TYLER

+Estimates of the TWC are in cooperationwith the Bureauof Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

*Estimates for the current month are preliminary. Allestimates are subject to revision. The number ofnonagricultural jobs in each MSA is without reference toplace of residence of workers.

++Estimates for these areas areproduced independently of the BLS.

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The Texas unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point to 4.3 percent in May 2008. The current rate was above the state’s year-ago level of 4.0 percent and was the third lowest May

unemployment rate since 1976. The United States unemployment rate for May was 5.2 percent, up four-tenths of a percentage point from the April level. This makes 11 consecutive months that the Texas unemployment rate has been below the national rate.

The Texas Civilian Labor Force increased by 46,300 individuals in May for a current estimate of 11,675,100; annually, it has increased by 267,500 people. The May 2008 Civilian Labor Force was

the largest recorded since January 1976, the beginning of the data series. The Civilian Labor Force annual growth rate was 2.3 percent in May 2008.

The number of jobholders decreased in May by 5,000 workers for an estimate of 11,175,000 employed individuals. Over the year, the number of employed workers grew by 223,000 individuals. The number

of people seeking employment opportunities in Texas was estimated to be 500,100 in May, an increase of 51,300 jobseekers from the month-ago estimate. Since January 2008, the number of jobseekers has declined by 35,900 individuals.

The number of individuals that were receiving unemployment insurance in Texas for May 2008 was 91,700. This was an increase of 2,800 people from the April count. Fourteen Metropolitan Statistical

Areas (MSAs) recorded an increase in claims activity over the month. Ten MSAs showed a decrease in claims activity and one remained unchanged for May 2008. The Laredo MSA claims activity was down 17.8 percent from month-ago levels. The Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA and the Longview MSA tied in over-the-month gains in people receiving unemployment benefi ts with an increase of 9.7 percent.

For the month of May 2008, the Midland MSA continued to hold on to its impressive lead in the Texas Labor Market with an unemployment rate of 2.7 percent. All of the MSAs in Texas recorded an increase

in their unemployment rate from April 2008 to May 2008.

Highlights of the Texas Labor Force(Not Seasonally Adjusted)

All estimates are subject to revision. Estimates refl ect actual (not seasonally adjusted) data. Civilian Labor Force (C.L.F.) includes wage and salary workers, self-employed, unpaid family, domestics in private households, agricultural workers, workers involved in labor disputes and the unemployed, all by place of residence. Employment and Unemployment data are fi rst rounded then added together to derive the rounded CLF total. Because of this rounding technique, this rounded total of the CLF may not agree with a rounding of the CLF total itself. Percent Unemployed is based upon unrounded Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment numbers. Estimates of the TWC are in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Beginning with January 2005 estimates, defi nitions of the MSAs were updated to refl ect the 2000 Census-based confi gurations. Please see www.tracer2.com for details on these changes. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA is comprised of the Dallas-Plano-Irving Metropolitan Division (MD) and the Fort Worth-Arlington MD.

Civilian Labor Force Estimates for Texas Metropolitan Statistical AreasNot Seasonally Adjusted (In Thousands)

MSAs Ranked by Unemployment RateApril 2008 (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

May 2008 April 2008 May 2007C.L.F. Emp. Unemp. Rate C.L.F. Emp. Unemp. Rate C.L.F. Emp. Unemp. Rate

United States 154,003.0 145,926.0 8,076.0 5.2 153,208.0 145,921.0 7,287.0 4.8 152,350.0 145,864.0 6,486.0 4.3State of Texas 11,675.1 11,175.0 500.1 4.3 11,628.8 11,180.0 448.8 3.9 11,407.6 10,952.0 455.6 4.0Abilene 81.0 78.2 2.8 3.5 81.0 78.4 2.6 3.2 79.8 77.2 2.6 3.3Amarillo 129.5 125.4 4.1 3.1 129.1 125.5 3.6 2.8 128.0 124.0 4.0 3.1Austin Round Rock 862.3 830.4 31.9 3.7 860.1 831.6 28.5 3.3 842.3 814.6 27.7 3.3Beaumont Port Arthur 180.8 170.6 10.2 5.6 179.9 170.8 9.1 5.0 179.0 170.3 8.7 4.8Brownsville Harlingen 144.1 135.5 8.6 5.9 143.6 135.8 7.8 5.4 141.7 133.9 7.8 5.5College Station Bryan 105.5 101.9 3.6 3.4 105.6 102.4 3.2 3.0 102.3 99.0 3.3 3.2Corpus Christi 200.1 191.5 8.6 4.3 199.4 191.7 7.7 3.8 196.9 188.9 8.0 4.1Dallas Fort Worth Arlington 3,149.7 3,012.5 137.2 4.4 3,133.3 3,011.2 122.1 3.9 3,072.2 2,949.8 122.4 4.0Dallas Plano Irving MD 2,103.5 2,011.5 92.0 4.4 2,094.8 2,011.8 83.0 4.0 2,053.6 1,971.5 82.1 4.0Fort Worth Arlington MD 1,046.1 1,000.9 45.2 4.3 1,038.6 999.4 39.2 3.8 1,018.6 978.3 40.3 4.0

El Paso 296.8 280.6 16.2 5.5 295.6 280.8 14.8 5.0 290.4 274.3 16.1 5.5Houston Sugar Land Baytown 2,776.3 2,659.2 117.1 4.2 2,765.4 2,661.1 104.3 3.8 2,704.4 2,597.8 106.6 3.9Killeen Temple Fort Hood 153.6 146.8 6.8 4.4 152.9 146.8 6.1 4.0 150.3 143.9 6.4 4.2Laredo 90.2 85.9 4.3 4.8 90.0 85.9 4.1 4.6 87.4 83.6 3.8 4.4Longview 107.8 103.7 4.1 3.8 107.4 103.8 3.6 3.3 104.4 100.5 3.9 3.7Lubbock 139.4 134.7 4.7 3.4 139.3 135.1 4.2 3.0 138.1 133.6 4.5 3.2McAllen Edinburg Mission 277.1 260.2 16.9 6.1 276.7 260.9 15.8 5.7 269.8 253.9 15.9 5.9Midland 72.5 70.5 2.0 2.7 72.3 70.6 1.7 2.4 70.7 68.8 1.9 2.7Odessa 68.6 66.5 2.1 3.1 68.4 66.5 1.9 2.8 66.0 63.9 2.1 3.2San Angelo 52.9 51.0 1.9 3.6 53.0 51.3 1.7 3.2 52.7 50.9 1.8 3.3San Antonio 941.1 903.5 37.6 4.0 937.4 903.5 33.9 3.6 920.0 886.2 33.8 3.7Sherman Denison 57.4 54.8 2.6 4.6 57.4 54.9 2.5 4.3 55.5 53.2 2.3 4.2Texarkana 63.0 60.3 2.7 4.3 62.6 60.1 2.5 3.9 62.1 59.3 2.8 4.5Tyler 97.5 93.3 4.2 4.3 97.0 93.2 3.8 4.0 95.6 91.9 3.7 3.9Victoria 58.0 55.9 2.1 3.5 57.7 55.9 1.8 3.1 57.5 55.6 1.9 3.4Waco 114.3 109.8 4.5 3.9 113.8 109.8 4.0 3.5 112.2 107.9 4.3 3.8Wichita Falls 74.7 71.8 2.9 3.8 74.4 71.8 2.6 3.5 73.3 70.6 2.7 3.7

1 Midland 2.72 (tie) Amarillo 3.1

Odessa 3.14 (tie) College Station Bryan 3.4

Lubbock 3.46 (tie) Abilene 3.5

Victoria 3.58 San Angelo 3.69 Austin Round Rock 3.710 (tie) Longview 3.8

Wichita Falls 3.812 Waco 3.913 San Antonio 4.014 Houston Sugar Land Baytown 4.2

Texas 4.315 (tie) Corpus Christi 4.3

Texarkana 4.3Tyler 4.3

18 (tie) Dallas Fort Worth Arlington 4.4Killeen Temple Fort Hood 4.4

20 Sherman Denison 4.621 Laredo 4.8

United States 5.222 El Paso 5.523 Beaumont Port Arthur 5.624 Brownsville Harlingen 5.925 McAllen Edinburg Mission 6.1

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T E X A S L A B O R M A R K E T R E V I E W

Estimates refl ect actual (not seasonally adjusted) data. All estimates are subject to revision. Estimates of the TWC are in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

Employment and Unemployment Estimates for Texas Counties May 2008County CLF Emp. Unemp. Rate County CLF Emp. Unemp. Rate County CLF Emp. Unemp. RateAnderson 20,565 19,510 1,055 5.1 Gillespie 13,309 12,946 363 2.7 Moore 10,918 10,599 319 2.9Andrews 7,158 6,956 202 2.8 Glasscock 626 599 27 4.3 Morris 6,262 5,931 331 5.3Angelina 40,507 38,753 1,754 4.3 Goliad 3,480 3,368 112 3.2 Motley 725 696 29 4.0Aransas 11,150 10,694 456 4.1 Gonzales 9,911 9,561 350 3.5 Nacogdoches 30,227 28,999 1,228 4.1Archer 5,456 5,292 164 3.0 Gray 11,561 11,202 359 3.1 Navarro 20,574 19,494 1,080 5.2Armstrong 1,109 1,074 35 3.2 Grayson 57,394 54,758 2,636 4.6 Newton 5,822 5,438 384 6.6Atascosa 19,706 18,908 798 4.0 Gregg 64,059 61,753 2,306 3.6 Nolan 7,639 7,370 269 3.5Austin 13,229 12,733 496 3.7 Grimes 10,712 10,208 504 4.7 Nueces 159,103 152,480 6,623 4.2Bailey 3,308 3,180 128 3.9 Guadalupe 55,740 53,663 2,077 3.7 Ochiltree 5,418 5,278 140 2.6Bandera 10,043 9,647 396 3.9 Hale 16,324 15,630 694 4.3 Oldham 913 876 37 4.1Bastrop 35,691 34,247 1,444 4.0 Hall 1,380 1,313 67 4.9 Orange 41,542 39,238 2,304 5.5Baylor 2,074 2,001 73 3.5 Hamilton 4,049 3,900 149 3.7 Palo Pinto 14,609 14,062 547 3.7Bee 11,461 10,816 645 5.6 Hansford 2,581 2,504 77 3.0 Panola 12,910 12,456 454 3.5Bell 117,983 112,831 5,152 4.4 Hardeman 2,383 2,311 72 3.0 Parker 53,413 51,349 2,064 3.9Bexar 748,322 717,989 30,333 4.1 Hardin 25,807 24,497 1,310 5.1 Parmer 4,429 4,292 137 3.1Blanco 4,953 4,776 177 3.6 Harris 1,947,865 1,866,252 81,613 4.2 Pecos 6,553 6,264 289 4.4Borden 338 323 15 4.4 Harrison 32,960 31,575 1,385 4.2 Polk 16,567 15,603 964 5.8Bosque 8,374 8,034 340 4.1 Hartley 2,397 2,316 81 3.4 Potter 57,749 55,715 2,034 3.5Bowie 42,998 40,980 2,018 4.7 Haskell 3,168 3,069 99 3.1 Presidio 3,226 2,937 289 9.0Brazoria 141,005 134,171 6,834 4.8 Hays 72,750 70,094 2,656 3.7 Rains 5,261 5,025 236 4.5Brazos 89,245 86,255 2,990 3.4 Hemphill 2,845 2,789 56 2.0 Randall 67,093 65,212 1,881 2.8Brewster 5,383 5,213 170 3.2 Henderson 34,890 33,208 1,682 4.8 Reagan 2,627 2,579 48 1.8Briscoe 727 697 30 4.1 Hidalgo 277,067 260,155 16,912 6.1 Real 1,319 1,262 57 4.3Brooks 3,086 2,927 159 5.2 Hill 15,908 15,183 725 4.6 Red River 6,276 5,896 380 6.1Brown 18,993 18,238 755 4.0 Hockley 11,472 11,067 405 3.5 Reeves 4,144 3,921 223 5.4Burleson 8,575 8,281 294 3.4 Hood 24,456 23,490 966 3.9 Refugio 3,896 3,743 153 3.9Burnet 22,651 21,901 750 3.3 Hopkins 17,273 16,613 660 3.8 Roberts 588 575 13 2.2Caldwell 16,604 15,894 710 4.3 Houston 7,723 7,256 467 6.0 Robertson 7,644 7,343 301 3.9Calhoun 9,489 9,100 389 4.1 Howard 14,188 13,619 569 4.0 Rockwall 36,135 34,705 1,430 4.0Callahan 7,071 6,836 235 3.3 Hudspeth 1,689 1,628 61 3.6 Runnels 4,452 4,251 201 4.5Cameron 144,016 135,463 8,553 5.9 Hunt 39,445 37,639 1,806 4.6 Rusk 23,998 22,993 1,005 4.2Camp 5,738 5,492 246 4.3 Hutchinson 11,758 11,314 444 3.8 Sabine 3,443 3,162 281 8.2Carson 3,534 3,424 110 3.1 Irion 987 959 28 2.8 San Augustine 3,523 3,311 212 6.0Cass 13,134 12,413 721 5.5 Jack 5,067 4,901 166 3.3 San Jacinto 10,353 9,811 542 5.2Castro 3,572 3,446 126 3.5 Jackson 6,808 6,558 250 3.7 San Patricio 29,837 28,319 1,518 5.1Chambers 14,473 13,706 767 5.3 Jasper 15,817 14,929 888 5.6 San Saba 2,302 2,187 115 5.0Cherokee 20,563 19,497 1,066 5.2 Jeff Davis 1,169 1,126 43 3.7 Schleicher 1,469 1,426 43 2.9Childress 3,045 2,901 144 4.7 Jefferson 113,477 106,911 6,566 5.8 Scurry 7,499 7,218 281 3.7Clay 6,436 6,236 200 3.1 Jim Hogg 2,868 2,782 86 3.0 Shackelford 2,050 1,994 56 2.7Cochran 1,539 1,467 72 4.7 Jim Wells 21,824 20,978 846 3.9 Shelby 12,383 11,853 530 4.3Coke 1,371 1,279 92 6.7 Johnson 74,896 71,850 3,046 4.1 Sherman 1,345 1,296 49 3.6Coleman 4,516 4,356 160 3.5 Jones 7,916 7,568 348 4.4 Smith 97,518 93,328 4,190 4.3Collin 396,046 380,108 15,938 4.0 Karnes 5,177 4,890 287 5.5 Somervell 4,009 3,830 179 4.5Collingsworth 1,556 1,500 56 3.6 Kaufman 45,622 43,533 2,089 4.6 Starr 21,518 19,413 2,105 9.8Colorado 10,881 10,501 380 3.5 Kendall 15,495 14,967 528 3.4 Stephens 4,585 4,434 151 3.3Comal 52,730 50,815 1,915 3.6 Kenedy 253 245 8 3.2 Sterling 774 754 20 2.6Comanche 6,476 6,237 239 3.7 Kent 443 424 19 4.3 Stonewall 926 900 26 2.8Concho 1,374 1,312 62 4.5 Kerr 22,523 21,734 789 3.5 Sutton 3,165 3,104 61 1.9Cooke 22,786 22,055 731 3.2 Kimble 2,376 2,300 76 3.2 Swisher 3,487 3,342 145 4.2Coryell 24,875 23,571 1,304 5.2 King 181 174 7 3.9 Tarrant 889,066 850,079 38,987 4.4Cottle 873 844 29 3.3 Kinney 1,344 1,279 65 4.8 Taylor 66,062 63,810 2,252 3.4Crane 1,736 1,678 58 3.3 Kleberg 16,588 15,975 613 3.7 Terrell 350 327 23 6.6Crockett 2,089 2,029 60 2.9 Knox 1,890 1,818 72 3.8 Terry 6,008 5,768 240 4.0Crosby 2,814 2,687 127 4.5 Lamar 25,012 23,847 1,165 4.7 Throckmorton 968 938 30 3.1Culberson 1,851 1,802 49 2.6 Lamb 7,134 6,834 300 4.2 Titus 14,493 13,936 557 3.8Dallam 3,299 3,203 96 2.9 Lampasas 10,730 10,355 375 3.5 Tom Green 51,887 50,019 1,868 3.6Dallas 1,177,063 1,122,899 54,164 4.6 La Salle 3,015 2,874 141 4.7 Travis 539,430 520,060 19,370 3.6Dawson 5,089 4,816 273 5.4 Lavaca 10,392 10,077 315 3.0 Trinity 5,889 5,598 291 4.9Deaf Smith 9,142 8,828 314 3.4 Lee 9,080 8,746 334 3.7 Tyler 8,109 7,654 455 5.6Delta 2,477 2,368 109 4.4 Leon 7,680 7,370 310 4.0 Upshur 19,657 18,915 742 3.8Denton 336,454 323,217 13,237 3.9 Liberty 31,942 30,284 1,658 5.2 Upton 1,749 1,699 50 2.9DeWitt 9,004 8,651 353 3.9 Limestone 10,518 10,071 447 4.2 Uvalde 11,221 10,686 535 4.8Dickens 1,202 1,156 46 3.8 Lipscomb 1,932 1,880 52 2.7 Val Verde 20,944 19,924 1,020 4.9Dimmit 4,288 4,056 232 5.4 Live Oak 5,163 4,962 201 3.9 Van Zandt 25,864 24,826 1,038 4.0Donley 1,849 1,773 76 4.1 Llano 8,578 8,257 321 3.7 Victoria 44,936 43,386 1,550 3.4Duval 5,248 5,001 247 4.7 Loving 43 39 4 9.3 Walker 26,068 24,865 1,203 4.6Eastland 8,239 7,894 345 4.2 Lubbock 136,617 132,014 4,603 3.4 Waller 16,289 15,588 701 4.3Ector 68,573 66,461 2,112 3.1 Lynn 2,714 2,581 133 4.9 Ward 5,030 4,855 175 3.5Edwards 999 966 33 3.3 McCulloch 3,895 3,748 147 3.8 Washington 16,533 15,967 566 3.4Ellis 70,327 67,065 3,262 4.6 McLennan 114,227 109,751 4,476 3.9 Webb 90,191 85,885 4,306 4.8El Paso 296,830 280,639 16,191 5.5 McMullen 325 307 18 5.5 Wharton 20,959 20,111 848 4.0Erath 18,268 17,635 633 3.5 Madison 5,185 4,954 231 4.5 Wheeler 3,126 3,049 77 2.5Falls 6,590 6,248 342 5.2 Marion 5,366 5,143 223 4.2 Wichita 62,733 60,228 2,505 4.0Fannin 13,565 12,857 708 5.2 Martin 2,157 2,088 69 3.2 Wilbarger 7,941 7,679 262 3.3Fayette 12,330 11,946 384 3.1 Mason 2,444 2,380 64 2.6 Willacy 7,810 7,168 642 8.2Fisher 1,974 1,897 77 3.9 Matagorda 17,091 16,021 1,070 6.3 Williamson 197,838 190,128 7,710 3.9Floyd 3,122 2,978 144 4.6 Maverick 20,501 18,546 1,955 9.5 Wilson 18,782 18,018 764 4.1Foard 702 676 26 3.7 Medina 20,306 19,489 817 4.0 Winkler 3,500 3,380 120 3.4Fort Bend 254,283 244,241 10,042 3.9 Menard 1,142 1,097 45 3.9 Wise 28,709 27,651 1,058 3.7Franklin 5,663 5,469 194 3.4 Midland 72,486 70,529 1,957 2.7 Wood 18,320 17,506 814 4.4Freestone 10,112 9,740 372 3.7 Milam 12,836 12,317 519 4.0 Yoakum 4,257 4,142 115 2.7Frio 6,704 6,375 329 4.9 Mills 2,229 2,145 84 3.8 Young 9,751 9,414 337 3.5Gaines 6,662 6,418 244 3.7 Mitchell 3,339 3,161 178 5.3 Zapata 5,093 4,840 253 5.0Galveston 143,470 136,763 6,707 4.7 Montague 10,824 10,465 359 3.3 Zavala 3,932 3,622 310 7.9Garza 2,416 2,325 91 3.8 Montgomery 203,400 195,663 7,737 3.8 Texas 11,675,134 11,174,999 500,135 4.3

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Estimates refl ect actual (not seasonally adjusted) data. All estimates are subject to revision. Estimates of the TWC are in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

Estimates of the TWC are in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Estimates refl ect actual (not seasonally adjusted) data. All estimates are subject to revision.

Employment and Unemployment Estimates for Texas Cities May 2008City CLF Emp. Unemp Rate City CLF Emp. Unemp Rate City CLF Emp. Unemp Rate

Abilene 57,308 55,236 2,072 3.6 Friendswood 17,937 17,305 632 3.5 North Richland Hills 36,066 34,766 1,300 3.6Allen 40,335 38,777 1,558 3.9 Frisco 45,573 43,770 1,803 4.0 Odessa 51,402 49,837 1,565 3.0Amarillo 99,831 96,747 3,084 3.1 Galveston 26,751 25,510 1,241 4.6 Paris 12,569 11,925 644 5.1Arlington 208,435 199,547 8,888 4.3 Garland 112,601 107,638 4,963 4.4 Pasadena 66,530 63,074 3,456 5.2Austin 419,111 404,801 14,310 3.4 Georgetown 20,794 19,964 830 4.0 Pearland 38,054 36,696 1,358 3.6Baytown 32,036 29,937 2,099 6.6 Grand Prairie 78,022 74,386 3,636 4.7 Pflugerville 17,731 17,111 620 3.5Beaumont 53,850 51,039 2,811 5.2 Grapevine 29,207 28,186 1,021 3.5 Pharr 23,639 22,345 1,294 5.5Bedford 31,310 30,150 1,160 3.7 Greenville 11,885 11,361 524 4.4 Plano 145,615 139,871 5,744 3.9Big Spring 9,748 9,326 422 4.3 Haltom City 21,430 20,520 910 4.2 Port Arthur 22,946 21,154 1,792 7.8Brownsville 62,192 58,465 3,727 6.0 Harlingen 25,092 23,761 1,331 5.3 Richardson 56,254 54,163 2,091 3.7Bryan 37,189 35,997 1,192 3.2 Houston 1,037,556 994,259 43,297 4.2 Rockwall 17,633 16,988 645 3.7Burleson 17,242 16,602 640 3.7 Huntsville 15,118 14,423 695 4.6 Rosenberg 15,343 14,698 645 4.2Carrollton 71,379 68,714 2,665 3.7 Hurst 21,280 20,449 831 3.9 Round Rock 52,107 50,394 1,713 3.3Cedar Hill 23,648 22,542 1,106 4.7 Irving 111,558 107,165 4,393 3.9 Rowlett 29,639 28,433 1,206 4.1Cedar Park 29,643 28,617 1,026 3.5 Keller 20,004 19,287 717 3.6 San Angelo 43,655 42,076 1,579 3.6Cleburne 13,893 13,354 539 3.9 Killeen 42,655 40,513 2,142 5.0 San Antonio 621,401 597,281 24,120 3.9College Station 41,332 39,874 1,458 3.5 Kingsville 13,222 12,772 450 3.4 San Benito 9,170 8,642 528 5.8Conroe 24,623 23,772 851 3.5 Lake Jackson 13,978 13,339 639 4.6 San Juan 12,366 11,595 771 6.2Coppell 21,344 20,566 778 3.6 Lancaster 16,530 15,562 968 5.9 San Marcos 26,758 25,923 835 3.1Copperas Cove 13,172 12,582 590 4.5 La Porte 18,467 17,625 842 4.6 Schertz 14,719 14,251 468 3.2Corpus Christi 143,080 137,280 5,800 4.1 Laredo 85,453 81,527 3,926 4.6 Sherman 17,567 16,756 811 4.6Corsicana 10,421 9,844 577 5.5 League City 36,602 35,222 1,380 3.8 Socorro 11,085 10,460 625 5.6Dallas 599,759 571,605 28,154 4.7 Lewisville 58,063 55,972 2,091 3.6 Southlake 12,470 12,008 462 3.7Deer Park 16,448 15,761 687 4.2 Longview 41,009 39,497 1,512 3.7 Sugar Land 42,476 41,095 1,381 3.3Del Rio 16,490 15,705 785 4.8 Lubbock 114,496 110,652 3,844 3.4 Temple 28,901 27,871 1,030 3.6Denton 61,307 59,099 2,208 3.6 Lufkin 16,546 15,832 714 4.3 Texarkana 16,436 15,628 808 4.9DeSoto 25,406 24,053 1,353 5.3 McAllen 59,055 56,507 2,548 4.3 Texas City 20,821 19,570 1,251 6.0Duncanville 18,744 17,804 940 5.0 McKinney 55,249 52,999 2,250 4.1 The Colony 22,958 22,024 934 4.1Eagle Pass 11,764 10,549 1,215 10.3 Mansfield 23,379 22,360 1,019 4.4 Tyler 47,274 45,352 1,922 4.1Edinburg 29,714 28,351 1,363 4.6 Mesquite 71,322 68,213 3,109 4.4 Victoria 32,462 31,335 1,127 3.5El Paso 254,511 241,352 13,159 5.2 Midland 59,744 58,134 1,610 2.7 Waco 56,242 53,779 2,463 4.4Euless 32,169 30,924 1,245 3.9 Mission 25,572 24,231 1,341 5.2 Waxahachie 13,033 12,447 586 4.5Farmers Branch 14,493 13,920 573 4.0 Missouri City 41,092 39,543 1,549 3.8 Weslaco 12,872 12,081 791 6.1Flower Mound 36,055 34,758 1,297 3.6 Nacogdoches 15,711 15,026 685 4.4 Wichita Falls 47,627 45,645 1,982 4.2Fort Worth 317,040 302,462 14,578 4.6 New Braunfels 25,958 25,057 901 3.5 Wylie 17,783 17,052 731 4.1

Civilian Labor Force Estimates forWDAsMay 2008

CLF Emp. Unemp. Rate

Alamo 988,837 949,441 39,396 4.0Brazos Valley 145,574 140,378 5,196 3.6Cameron County 144,016 135,463 8,553 5.9Capital Area 539,430 520,060 19,370 3.6Central Texas 175,004 167,306 7,698 4.4Coastal Bend 267,934 256,447 11,487 4.3Concho Valley 75,600 72,986 2,614 3.5Dallas 1,177,063 1,122,899 54,164 4.6Deep East Texas 160,363 152,367 7,996 5.0East Texas 387,669 371,227 16,442 4.2Golden Crescent 94,020 90,701 3,319 3.5Gulf Coast 2,840,955 2,720,899 120,056 4.2Heart Of Texas 165,729 159,027 6,702 4.0Lower Rio Grande Valley 306,395 286,736 19,659 6.4Middle Rio Grande 67,563 63,215 4,348 6.4North Central Texas 1,162,963 1,115,628 47,335 4.1North East Texas 133,588 127,453 6,135 4.6North Texas 114,240 110,047 4,193 3.7Panhandle 217,353 210,398 6,955 3.2Permian Basin 200,382 193,972 6,410 3.2Rural Capital 380,475 365,989 14,486 3.8South East Texas 180,826 170,646 10,180 5.6South Plains 199,833 192,699 7,134 3.6South Texas 98,152 93,507 4,645 4.7Tarrant County 889,066 850,079 38,987 4.4Texoma 93,745 89,670 4,075 4.3Upper Rio Grande 310,148 293,345 16,803 5.4West Central Texas 158,206 152,413 5,793 3.7

Average Hours and Earnings of Production or Nonsupervisory Workers for Texas

Average Weekly Earnings Average Weekly Hours Average Hourly Earnings

May '08 Apr. '08 May '07 May '08 Apr. '08 May '07 May '08 Apr. '08 May '07

Natural Resources and Mining $630.40 $650.48 $645.81 40.0 41.3 40.9 $15.76 $15.75 $15.79

Mining $632.14 $695.10 $669.53 40.6 42.0 40.8 $15.57 $16.55 $16.41

Oil and Gas Extraction $624.73 $620.15 $657.31 31.6 31.4 33.4 $19.77 $19.75 $19.68

Manufacturing $594.69 $596.90 $590.37 40.4 40.8 41.9 $14.72 $14.63 $14.09

Durable Goods $591.14 $592.43 $580.01 40.6 41.4 42.9 $14.56 $14.31 $13.52

Fabricated Metal Product Mfg $570.57 $555.93 $616.82 42.9 42.6 46.8 $13.30 $13.05 $13.18

Transportation Equipment Mfg $695.38 $727.02 $711.38 39.6 42.0 42.7 $17.56 $17.31 $16.66

Non Durable Goods $600.80 $604.69 $610.55 40.0 39.6 40.3 $15.02 $15.27 $15.15

Printing and Related Support Activities $510.54 $547.37 $499.60 38.1 40.1 37.2 $13.40 $13.65 $13.43

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities

Wholesale Trade $656.47 $649.57 $660.53 40.8 40.7 41.7 $16.09 $15.96 $15.84

Professional and Commercial Equip $647.71 $671.25 $632.55 34.6 35.8 33.7 $18.72 $18.75 $18.77

Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies $571.18 $570.47 $601.25 41.3 41.1 43.1 $13.83 $13.88 $13.95

Retail Trade

Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers $585.09 $615.65 $544.42 34.6 36.3 32.1 $16.91 $16.96 $16.96

Bldg. Material and Garden Equipment $404.54 $411.06 $373.87 35.3 35.9 34.3 $11.46 $11.45 $10.90

Food and Beverage Stores $306.65 $298.14 $298.27 31.1 30.8 31.2 $9.86 $9.68 $9.56

Gasoline Stations $301.16 $301.89 $295.94 35.1 34.9 35.4 $8.58 $8.65 $8.36

Clothing and Accessories Stores $242.79 $233.33 $239.90 23.3 22.5 23.8 $10.42 $10.37 $10.08

Information

Telecommunications $484.14 $458.87 $508.44 29.2 28.1 31.6 $16.58 $16.33 $16.09

Industry

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T E X A S L A B O R M A R K E T R E V I E W

GLOSSARY OF LABOR MARKET TERMSActual or Not Seasonally Adjusted - This term is used to describe data series not subject to the seasonal adjustment process. In other words, the effects of regular, or seasonal, patterns have not been removed from these series.

Civilian Labor Force (CLF) - Is that portion of the population age 16 and older who are employed or unemployed. To be considered unemployed, a person has to be not working but willing and able to work and actively seeking work.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. The CPI provides a way for consumers to compare what the market basket of goods and services costs this month with what the same market basket cost a month or a year ago.

Current Employment Statistics (CES) - A monthly survey of nonfarm business establishments used to collect wage and salary employment, workers hours, and payroll, by industry and area. It is sometimes known as Nonagricultural Employment.

Employed (Emp) - Persons 16 years and over in the civilian noninstitutional population who, during the reference week, (a) did any work at all (at least 1 hour) as paid employees, worked in their own business, profession, or on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers in an enterprise operated by a member of the family, and (b) all those who were not working but who had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily absent because of vacation, illness, bad weather, childcare problems, maternity or paternity leave, labor-management dispute, job training, or other family or personal reasons, whether or not they were paid for the time off or were seeking other jobs. Each employed person is counted only once, even if he or she holds more than one job.

Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) - The Federal/State cooperative program which produces employment and unemployment estimates for states

and local areas. These estimates are developed by State Employment Security Agencies in accordance with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defi nitions and procedures. Data is used for planning and budgetary purposes as an indication of need for employment and training services programs. Estimates are also used to allocate Federal funds.

Metropolitan Division (MD) - A Metropolitan Statistical Area which contains a single core with a population of 2.5 million or more may be subdivided into smaller groupings of counties referred to as Metropolitan Divisions. Titles of Metropolitan Divisions are typically based on principal city names. Texas has two Metropolitan Divisions, the Dallas-Plano-Irving MD and the Fort Worth-Arlington MD, which combine to form the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA.

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) - A geographic area that contains at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more population plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core urban area. An MSA in Texas is made up of one or more counties. The U.S. Offi ce of Management and Budget defi nes metropolitan areas according to published standards that are applied to Census Bureau data. Texas has 25 MSAs and two Metropolitan Divisions (MD).

Seasonally Adjusted (SA) - Seasonal adjustment removes the effects of events that follow a more or less regular pattern each year. These adjustments make it easier to observe the cyclical and other non-seasonal movements in a data series.

Unemployed (Unemp) - Persons 16 years and over who had no employment during the reference week, were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specifi c efforts to fi nd employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Persons who were waiting to be recalled to a job from which they had been laid off need not have been looking for work to be classifi ed as unemployed.

“HAPPENINGS AROUND THE STATE”Houston Named Best CityHOUSTON, TX (Houston Business Journal)—Houston is the best city in the United States in which to live, work and play, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. The Bayou City—billed by the magazine as the Comeback Kid—ranks No. 1 on the magazine’s Best Cities of 2008 list, which focuses on strong economies, abundant jobs, reasonable living costs, and fun things to do.

“Back with a roar after the oil bust of the 1980’s, Houston has reclaimed its title as energy capital of the U.S. and added aerospace, technology and medical companies to the mix, generating more than 100,000 jobs in 2007,” said the report which will appear in the magazine’s July issue. Austin is the only other Texas city to feature in the Top 10 list, coming in at No. 6.

Facility to Bring Energy JobsABILENE, TX (Abilene Reporter-News)—Tower Tech Systems, a subsidiary of multi-tiered wind energy company Broadwind Energy Inc., announced it would construct a wind-tower manufacturing facility in Abilene’s Five Points Business Park, bringing with it more than 150 jobs. According to the Development Corporation of Abilene, 70 percent of the jobs will pay from $40,000 to $50,000 a year.

“It’s about jobs and it’s about a new—for most of us over the past several years—a new technology and energy source that has really pervaded our

countryside,” said Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald. “All you have to do is drive around to know that.” Offi cials said the facility is expected to open in early 2009.

Coastal Plant Bringing JobsPORT ISABEL, TX (Valley Morning Star)—Subsea 7, a Norwegian engineering and construction company, has signed on to build a pipe assembly plant on a 58-acre site at the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District’s turning basin. The $32-million plant will help attract offshore oil and gas industry suppliers to the area, and it is expected to create about 100 welding and heavy equipment operation jobs. The company will begin shipping in mid 2009.

Drilling Permits IncreaseWICHITA FALLS, TX (Wichita Falls Times Record News—Lee Anderson)—The number of drilling permits issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas in April jumped 468 from the same month last year. “It appears that for the fi rst time in 30 years the decline in oil production in Texas has stopped,” said Texas Alliance of Energy Producers President Alex Mills. Mills also pointed out after examining Railroad Commission statistics, “The fi rst three months of 2008 (Texas oil production) has increased over the same months in 2007.”

The Texas Labor Market Review (TLMR) is published monthly by the Labor Market & Career Information Department of the Texas Workforce Commission. Material in the TLMR is not copyrighted and may be reproduced. The TWC would appreciate credit for the material used and a copy of the reprint. For assistance in fi nding this publication on our website, please contact us at the numbers below.

Phone (512) 491-4922 Toll Free 1-866-938-4444 Fax (512) 491-4904Website www.tracer2.comE-mail lmci@twc.state.tx.us

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Mark Hughes, LMCI Director

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Texas Labor Market Review Labor Market & Career Information

INDICATORS

12T E X A S W O R K F O R C E C O M M I S S I O N

L A B O R M A R K E T A N D C A R E E R I N F O R M A T I O N D E P A R T M E N T

Actual (Not Seasonally Adjusted) Seasonally Adjusted

MAY 2008 4.3% MAY 2008 4.5%APR 2008 3.9% APR 2008 4.1%MAY 2007 4.0% MAY 2007 4.4%

Actual (Not Seasonally Adjusted) Seasonally Adjusted

MAY 2008 5.2% MAY 2008 5.5%APR 2008 4.8% APR 2008 5.0%MAY 2007 4.3% MAY 2007 4.5%

Not Seasonally Adjusted Seasonally Adjusted

MAY 2008 10,616,000 MAY 2008 10,570,400APR 2008 10,581,600 APR 2008 10,561,700MAY 2007 10,365,100 MAY 2007 10,331,700OTM Change 34,400 OTM Change 8,700OTY Change 250,900 OTY Change 238,700

Initial Claims Continued Claims

MAY 2008 63,522 MAY 2008 445,527APR 2008 65,901 APR 2008 463,673MAY 2007 60,405 MAY 2007 415,259

Help Wanted Index Texas

Annual ChangeU.S. MAY 2008 4.2% MAY 2008 N/ADallas Fort Worth MAY 2008 5.0% APR 2008 41.0Houston Galveston APR 2008 2.5% MAY 2007 52.5

MAY 2008 $ 125.39 OTM Change $ 12.82APR 2008 $ 112.57 OTY Change $ 61.93MAY 2007 $ 63.46

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil ($/barrel)

Texas Unemployment Rate

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Texas Nonagricultural Wage & Salary Employment

U.S. Unemployment Rate

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BY COUNTYMAY 2008

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BY MSAMAY 2008