Kerr County unemployment hovers at 4.8%

Kerr County's unemployment rate moved downward in April — hitting 4.8% — and the job market remains hot.

As employers struggle to fill positions, the sinking unemployment rate may point to an emerging trend — there may be more jobs available than workers.

The Texas Workforce Commission has aggregated 214 positions available in the last two weeks. Of those jobs listed, where salary and benefits were included, 41 paid between $20,000 and $39,000 per year.

April's report showed a steep decline after the coronavirus pandemic laid west to the economy. In April of last year, Kerrville's unemployment rate hit a 20-year high of 11%.

In recent weeks, Gov. Greg Abbott moved to roll back extra unemployment benefits, which the federal government funded as part of coronavirus relief. Abbott said the number of people receiving unemployment benefits was excessive.

However, many of the positions advertised through the Texas Workforce Commission required a significant amount of training. There were 59 openings in the medical field.