Texas jobless rate falls to 8.2 percent in February

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas unemployment rate has slipped to 8.2 percent for February.

The Texas Workforce Commission announced the seasonally adjusted figure on Friday. It compares to a statewide metro jobless rate of 8.3 percent in January.

Nationally, unemployment stood at 8.9 percent last month. Officials say hiring in the professional and business services industry rose in February, with companies adding about 14,500 jobs.

Texas total nonfarm employment was up by 22,700 jobs last month. That's a total gain of 254,200 jobs from a year ago. The Midland area had the state's lowest unemployment rate, at 4.8 percent. The highest unemployment for Texas was in Edinburg-McAllen-Mission, at 12.2 percent.