MCALLEN, Texas - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) released the March Labor Market and Employment reports. The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate decreased to 4.3%.
The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained constant at 4.3%.
Statewide Overview:
Texas had a gain of 46,800 non-agricultural jobs in March and a gain of 117,200 jobs in the past year (seasonally adjusted). This represents an annual employment increase rate of 0.8%.
Goods-Producing employment increased by 3,900 jobs in March, and a total of 6,600 jobs were gained in the past twelve months. The Goods-Producing sector has seen an increase of 0.3% over the past twelve months. The Mining and Logging sector had the most job growth for this month with 1,700 jobs added.
The Service-Providing sector gained 42,900 jobs in March and recorded a total gain of 110,600 jobs over the past year, reflecting an annual growth rate of 0.9%. Professional and Business Services had the most job growth with an additional 14,900 jobs increasing at a 2.3% annual rate. The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector, which has an annual increasing rate of 0.5%, demonstrated the second highest job growth in March with an estimated 13,500 employees added.
Regional Unemployment Recap:
The March unemployment rate decreased in Hidalgo (0.5%) and Starr (0.5%) and remained constant in Willacy.
Counties:
• Hidalgo County decreased by 0.5% to 5.9%
• Cameron County decreased by 0.6% to 6.4%
• Starr County decreased by 0.5% to 9.6%
• Willacy County remained constant at 6.9%
• Webb County decreased by 0.5% to 4.3%
Cities:
• McAllen has the lowest unemployment rate in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) at a rate of 4.5%
• Edinburg has the second lowest unemployment rate in the RGV at a rate of 4.9%
• Mission unemployment rate decreased by 0.5% to 5.3%
• Brownsville unemployment rate decreased by 0.8% to 6.8%
• Harlingen unemployment rate decreased by 0.2% to 5.5%
• Laredo unemployment rate decreased by 0.4% to 4.4%
Regional Employment Change Estimates Hidalgo, Cameron, and Webb Counties’ Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA)
The March 2026 Employment Change Estimates reflect an increase in jobs added for the border region from last month’s employment estimates. The total non- agricultural employment for March in the border region increased by an estimated 1,600 jobs.
The primary sector with the largest job growth in the border region is the Leisure and Hospitality sector with an estimated 600 new jobs. The Information sector in the RGV region reported a loss of 100 jobs in the McAllen MSA and no net gain in the Brownsville and Laredo MSA.
RGV Economy
During the month of March, the RGV’s (McAllen & Brownsville MSA’s) showed a gain of 1,500 jobs in the workforce. WFS partnered with businesses to address hiring needs by hosting 12 hiring events with 63 participating employers and 703 job seekers in attendance, which led to a total of 75 job offers being extended during those events. Additionally, WFS served a total of 858 employers, representing 1,545 job openings.
Furthermore, the report extracted in March from WorkInTexas highlights Workforce Solutions’ significant impact on employment efforts, with 526 individuals successfully assisted in securing employment. Of these, 25 were direct hires and 501 were indirect hires.
Business Engagement:
Employer Workshop: On March 5, 2026, Workforce Solutions partnered with the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation for the Boost Your Business Series: Workforce Resources You Should Know, held in Edinburg. The event provided local businesses with valuable workforce and economic development information, including labor market trends for the area and an overview of Workforce Solutions services and resources designed to support employers. In addition, the Texas Workforce Commission participated by sharing information on grant funding opportunities available to help businesses grow and strengthen their workforce.
Community Engagement:
On March 6, 2026, Workforce Solutions attended the MXLAN Economic International Summit in McAllen to gain valuable insights on regional industry trends and workforce needs. The event provided an opportunity to learn about innovative practices and strategies being implemented by participating organizations, as well as emerging technologies and in-demand skills relevant to local employers. Attendance also helped identify potential opportunities to enhance Workforce Solutions training programs and services while exploring future collaboration opportunities with regional partners.
Editor's Note: WFS Local Labor Market Reports Contributors: Brenda Martinez, Senior Business Relations Representative - Paloma Castro-Romero, Business Relations Representative - at BusinessRelations@wfsolutions.org
