Labor Market Intelligence
March 2025 LMI
**Released March 14, 2025. Reflects data from January 2025. **
Coastal Bend’s Job Market: Resilient, Growing, and Full of Opportunity
In January 2025, the Coastal Bend region continued to showcase its resilience and opportunities amid shifting labor market trends. While the unemployment rate saw a modest increase month-over-month, rising from 4.0% to 4.5%, the region also recorded over 11,000 job openings across diverse industries, offering ample opportunities for job seekers. Year-over-year, the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.5%, aligning with state and national patterns of gradual labor market adjustments.
Despite a slight uptick in unemployment, key industries, such as Utility System Construction, Private Education and Health Services, and Professional Services, signal a strong foundation for future expansion. Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend remains committed to fostering economic prosperity through strategic partnerships and workforce development initiatives.
Regional Insights
Labor Force Trends
While the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.5%, it highlights the importance of ongoing collaboration to address barriers and connect talent to jobs.
Sectors Driving Growth
Utility System Construction is projected to grow by over 53% through 2032, highlighting significant infrastructure opportunities.
Wages and Opportunities
While this marks progress, the region continues working to close wage gaps with state and national averages.
As of January 2025, continued claims for unemployment remain stable year-over-year, indicating a steady job transition rate in the region.
National Trends
Texas achieved record-breaking civilian labor force participation, reaching 15,750,800, with 351,200 people added over the year.
Total nonfarm employment in Texas rose to 14,236,400, with an annual growth rate of 1.3%.
The state’s unemployment rate remained steady year-over-year at 4.1%.
National Trends
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points, from 4.1% in January 2024 to 4.4% in January 2025, reflecting broader economic adjustments.
Growth in sectors such as Financial Activities and Education and Health Services at both state and national levels reinforces the Coastal Bend’s alignment with key economic drivers.
Looking Ahead
The Coastal Bend region is filled with potential. By focusing on growing industries, connecting talent with opportunities, and supporting businesses with top-tier solutions, we will continue to lead the way toward shared success.
The February Labor Market Report will be released on Friday, March 28, 2025, providing a more current outlook into regional labor market trends.
For job seekers and employers looking to take the next step, Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend offers expert guidance, job-matching services, and training resources.
Labor Market Information Definitions
Not Seasonally Adjusted (Actual) – Data has not been subjected to the seasonal adjustment process. In other words, the effects of regular or seasonal patterns have not been removed from these series. Not seasonally adjusted data is available for smaller geographies, where seasonally adjusted is only available down to the state level. Use this data to view raw numbers, and for geographies smaller than state level.
Seasonally Adjusted – Total employment and unemployment vary throughout the year. For example, higher unemployment in January and February isn’t uncommon because of work in agriculture, construction and other seasonal industries slowing down. Also, both employment and unemployment rise every June, when students enter the labor force in search of summer jobs. Seasonally adjusted numbers also take into account seasonal hiring/layoff patterns that go along with winter and summer holidays. Use this data for month-to-month comparisons for Texas and the United States.
Labor Force – Residents who are at least 16 years old, not serving in the military or institutionalized, and employed or seeking employment.
Download Targeted Occupations List 2024-2025 (PDF)
The targeted occupations list is developed by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend for the most effective use of local workforce development resources. Sources of information for the target list are local area employers, economic development entities, chambers of commerce, community partners, Texas Workforce Commission labor market information regarding the Coastal Bend Counties, and knowledge gained from continuous contact with the above sources.
Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend’s Strategic Business Plan 2021-2025 has been updated to comply with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) regulations. The final draft has been approved by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Written comments were submitted electronically, delivered via mail or in-person to the Board Administrative offices, Chief Operating Officer at 400 Mann St. Suite 800, Corpus Christi TX 78401
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