Houston employers added 14,400 jobs in June, marking the second consecutive month of stronger-than-average hiring and signaling continued improvement in the region’s labor market, according to the latest Employment Situation report released by Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast.
The June gains were driven by hiring across multiple industries, with Professional and Business Services adding 7,800 jobs, becoming the largest June increase for the sector since records began in 1990. Leisure and Hospitality followed with 6,600 new jobs as Houston hosted FIFA World Cup matches throughout the month, while Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 3,400 jobs. Construction, Manufacturing, and Other Services also posted employment gains, reflecting broader hiring activity across the regional economy.
The report indicates that Houston’s labor market has strengthened after a slower start to the year. According to Mohammad Ahmadizadeh, Economist for Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast, June represents the second consecutive month of above-average hiring following stronger-than-expected job growth in May.
“June marks the second consecutive month of above-average hiring, not to mention it represents a notable turnaround compared to June a year ago, when Houston lost 4,600 jobs over the month,” Ahmadizadeh said. “We continue to see job growth across a wider cross-section of industries than we saw earlier this year, suggesting Houston’s labor market may be entering a stronger phase. The coming months will determine whether that trend continues.”
Over the past 12 months, Houston added 39,700 jobs, the region’s largest annual employment gain since July 2025. Seven of the area’s 11 major industry sectors expanded during that period, led by Construction, Professional and Business Services, and Private Education and Health Services.
While the region’s unemployment rate increased from 4.6 percent in May to 5.2 percent in June, the report attributes much of that increase to seasonal labor force growth as recent graduates and other job seekers entered the workforce rather than widespread job losses.
Another indicator pointed to improving hiring demand. The Houston Area Workforce Solutions Index (WSI) increased for the fifth consecutive month, rising to 3.46 in June. Although the index remains below its long-term equilibrium value of 4.0, Workforce Solutions economists note that the recent upward trend suggests employers are gradually creating more opportunities for job seekers.
You can read the complete June Employment Situation report, including detailed industry data and labor market analysis here:
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