{"schema_version": 1, "id": "brownsville-harlingen-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 82, "label": "Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA", "slug": "brownsville-harlingen-tx-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:26:27.741012+00:00", "headline": "Brownsville jobless rate falls as labor force shrinks, jobs stall.", "headline_summary": "Brownsville-Harlingen's unemployment rate dropped to 5.9% in September even as the metro lost 400 net jobs this year, while neighboring McAllen added 4,200 \u2014 a divergence that frames the region's recovery as uneven.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Metro unemployment rate", "value": "5.9%", "context": "Down from 7.3% in June; still 2+ pts above U.S. 4.1%"}, {"label": "Net job change, YTD through Sept.", "value": "-400 jobs", "context": "vs. McAllen's +4,200 over same period"}, {"label": "Manufacturing employment", "value": "6,300 jobs (June 2026)", "context": "Down from 7,500 in June 2023, despite Sept. +4.9% monthly gain"}, {"label": "Construction investment pipeline", "value": "$7.37B", "context": "3,031 active Cameron County projects, incl. $196.6M SH 4"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Falling jobless rate masks a shrinking labor force.", "body": "Unemployment dropped from 7.3% in June to 5.9% in September even as the metro lost 400 jobs year-to-date \u2014 a pattern consistent with workers leaving the labor force. Economic development messaging built solely on the unemployment rate risks overstating current hiring conditions."}, {"headline": "McAllen's growth and Brownsville's contraction split the Valley.", "body": "McAllen added 4,200 jobs over the same period Brownsville lost 400, widening a divide between neighboring Rio Grande Valley metros that commerce leaders and regional economic development groups should track as a competitive signal specific to each metro."}, {"headline": "Manufacturing's monthly bounce sits atop a four-year decline.", "body": "September's 4.9% month-over-month manufacturing gain is real, but employment in the sector has fallen from 7,500 jobs in June 2023 to 6,300 in June 2026. One strong month does not reverse a structural decline tied to broader reshoring and automation trends playing out nationally."}, {"headline": "Construction investment points to a longer runway than current hiring suggests.", "body": "Cameron County's 3,031 active construction projects worth $7.37 billion, including the $196.6 million SH 4 project, indicate capital commitment to the metro's infrastructure base well beyond this month's payroll numbers. Commerce leaders evaluating timing for local investment may find the construction pipeline a forward-looking signal worth weighing alongside near-term employment counts."}], "local_conditions": "Brownsville-Harlingen's unemployment rate fell to 5.9% in September, down from 7.3% in June, even as the metro shed 400 net jobs through the first nine months of 2026 \u2014 a divergence that appears to reflect labor force contraction as much as hiring strength. Manufacturing posted a 4.9% month-over-month gain in September but remains down from 7,500 jobs in mid-2023 to 6,300 in mid-2026, while private education/health services (46,500 jobs) and leisure/hospitality (20,500 jobs, a 10-year peak) are carrying the metro's growth.", "implications": "Falling unemployment alongside flat-to-negative net job counts signals a shrinking labor force, which changes how commerce leaders should read local economic capacity \u2014 expansion plans premised on abundant available labor warrant a second look. Cameron County's $7.37 billion construction pipeline and the SH 4 transportation project signal confidence in longer-term infrastructure, but near-term hiring breadth remains narrow, concentrated in healthcare, hospitality, and select manufacturing lines. Current conditions suggest commerce leaders evaluate expansion timing against sector-specific momentum alongside the headline unemployment number.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Early indicator", "body": "Watch whether the labor force count (currently 188.6K) stabilizes or continues contracting alongside the falling unemployment rate \u2014 a continued split would confirm the metro's declining jobless rate reflects fewer job-seekers rather than more jobs filled."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Cameron County's regional workforce agreement across 18 cities, formalized in May under Workforce Solutions Cameron, is positioned to shape how industry and local labor supply connect; its early implementation steps over the next two months are worth tracking for commerce leaders assessing regional coordination."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Manufacturing's September uptick could either mark a turning point after four years of decline or prove a one-month blip; a second consecutive monthly gain would be the more credible signal for business investment decisions tied to the sector."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "McAllen's job growth relative to Brownsville's contraction may intensify competition for regional investment and talent; local chambers and economic development corporations should monitor whether site-selection activity continues favoring McAllen."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 21840.0, "metro_p50": 26555.2, "metro_p75": 32091.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 20484.5, "metro_p50": 23831.0, "metro_p75": 24960.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23133.5, "metro_p50": 30612.8, "metro_p75": 32266.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60190.0, "metro_p50": 88000.0, "metro_p75": 98407.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27715.0, "metro_p50": 30307.0, "metro_p75": 32102.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 22100.0, "metro_p50": 30098.6, "metro_p75": 35360.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54690.0, "metro_p50": 68128.8, "metro_p75": 71345.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 22880.0, "metro_p50": 31362.0, "metro_p75": 35032.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30779.0, "metro_p50": 32240.0, "metro_p75": 33325.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 26000.0, "metro_p50": 30312.0, "metro_p75": 31361.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29491.0, "metro_p50": 34430.0, "metro_p75": 37440.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27031.5, "metro_p50": 32398.2, "metro_p75": 35360.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 43680.0, "metro_p50": 63773.8, "metro_p75": 84631.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 79040.0, "metro_p50": 94380.0, "metro_p75": 100456.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 106252.0, "metro_p50": 168036.0, "metro_p75": 171834.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 100219.0, "metro_p50": 135000.0, "metro_p75": 153586.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 43680.0, "metro_p50": 58267.6, "metro_p75": 60000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 73013.0, "metro_p50": 93875.0, "metro_p75": 101920.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 43680.0, "metro_p50": 48315.0, "metro_p75": 56055.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 46800.0, "metro_p50": 61150.0, "metro_p75": 72500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 70000.0, "metro_p50": 82583.0, "metro_p75": 98295.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 40789.0, "metro_p50": 56270.6, "metro_p75": 57579.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33376.0, "metro_p50": 77500.0, "metro_p75": 80000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 48368.0, "metro_p50": 70872.6, "metro_p75": 85260.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 68599.75, "metro_p50": 81178.0, "metro_p75": 81178.25, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 69603.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 93970.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 32340.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 60190.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 40538.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 43583.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 41246.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 62354.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 26822.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 66683.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "brownsville-harlingen-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "brownsville-harlingen-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "brownsville-harlingen-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:19:14.049547+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/brownsville-harlingen-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/brownsville-harlingen-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}