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Hiring in metro Houston remained positive in April with 5,000 jobs created across the region, according to data released today by the Texas Workforce Commission. That represents relatively soft performance, given that Houston averaged 10,400 new jobs for April in the decade before the pandemic. Even so, healthy gains in business services, retail, and construction more than offset modest losses elsewhere.

Professional, scientific, and technical services was the top-performing sector, adding 3,500 positions, including 1,000 in engineering services and 500 in computer systems design. The gains point to renewed business spending tied to oil field activity, AI adoption, and other expert services after a pullback in ’25. Administrative support added 2,100 jobs, with roughly half of that growth coming from janitorial and other building services. Retail posted an unseasonably strong month with 1,900 new jobs, helped by a rebound in hardware and garden stores. Relatedly, construction posted healthy gains concentrated among specialty contractors.

Eleven of the 21 sectors tracked by the Partnership posted job losses, but the pullbacks were mild. No sector shed more than 1,000 positions, suggesting April’s softness was broad but shallow, not a sign of deeper weakness in any one part of the economy.

On a year-over-year basis, growth remains positive but modest, with metro Houston adding 7,700 jobs between April ’25 and April ’26. That represents a 0.2 percent job growth rate, which matches the national trend. Total non-farm payroll employment now stands at 3,490,000.

Prepared by Greater Houston Partnership Research Division.

Colin Baker
Manager of Economic Research
Greater Houston Partnership
[email protected]