A new report puts Houston among the top economies in the entire country, even as the national unemployment rate ticks up.
HOUSTON — The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February and the national unemployment rate climbed to 4.4%, according to the Labor Department, but Houston appears to be weathering the slowdown better than most of the country.
While February figures for the Houston metro area are not yet available, the Greater Houston Partnership reports the city has been adding jobs at roughly four times the national pace and is projecting more than 30,000 new jobs in the region this year.
Colin Baker, manager of economic research at the Greater Houston Partnership, offered an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year.
“We expect job growth to be stronger this year than it was last year. We are thinking that it’s relatively likely that we see a bounce back in the second half of 2026.”
Baker also noted that Houston ranks as the second fastest-growing economy in the country, a factor that has helped insulate it from broader national headwinds.
Still, job seekers shouldn’t expect an easy road despite the relatively healthy local market. A local recruiting firm and staffing agency cautioned that the competition for open positions remains stiff. Experts recommend polishing resumes and leaning on professional networks to stand out in what they describe as a very competitive environment right now.