San Antonio-area unemployment rate jumps in June as vaccinations slow, delta variant gains momentum

Unemployment in the San Antonio area rose slightly in June as the COVID-19 delta variant gained momentum amid slowing vaccination rates.

The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate rose to 6 percent last month, the Texas Workforce Commission reported on Friday. That was an increase of 5.3 percent in May.

The June numbers were twice the pre-pandemic rate of 3 percent in February 2020. However, it is significantly lower than the pandemic’s peak unemployment rate of 14.1 percent, a record high reached in April 2020.

On ExpressNews.com: “We were disappointed”: Weaker job forecast

After the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released a strong employment forecast earlier this year, it revised its position in May to predict a weakening of the employment outlook for the remainder of 2021. The shift has been attributed to the effects of falling vaccination rates and increasing cases of delta variants.

The Workforce Commission estimated that 73,500 people were unemployed in the area as of June, up from 64,400 in May.

Despite the rising unemployment rate, TWC leaders remained optimistic about the labor market situation in Texas.

“Texas is open to business and we continue to create jobs,” said Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC’s programs aim to support this growth by connecting people with jobs, and with a new focus on closing the middle skill gap in our state, we are providing all Texans with pathways to successful careers and building a workforce of the highest Qualifications requested by employers. “

Nationwide, the unemployment rate was 6.6 percent last month, up from 5.9 percent in May. The national rate also rose from 5.5 percent in May to 6.1 percent in June.

On ExpressNews.com: Unemployment in the San Antonio area continues to decline from pandemic-era record highs as employment growth slows

In total, the country created 55,800 jobs in June.

More than 6,700 people in the area applied for unemployment benefits last month, the fifth highest number in the state, according to the Personnel Commission. Most of the applicants came from jobs in temporary employment services, day care centers, restaurants and schools.

The state agency figures are not seasonally adjusted and differ slightly from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas figures.

This story will be updated.

Brandon Lingle writes for Express News for Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. brandon.lingle@express-news.net

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