{"schema_version": 1, "id": "san-angelo-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 456, "label": "San Angelo, TX MSA", "slug": "san-angelo-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": "2026-11-03T08:02:54.273252+00:00", "headline": "San Angelo's labor market stays tight while Texas stalls.", "headline_summary": "San Angelo's unemployment rate held at 3.5% in September against a statewide 4.4%, even as Texas's labor force added just 3,600 workers over the past year and Registered Nurse pay locally climbed to a median $94,242.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "San Angelo unemployment rate", "value": "3.5%", "context": "vs 4.4% statewide, down from 3.6% in August"}, {"label": "San Angelo nonfarm employment", "value": "54,100", "context": "Series-high, +600 jobs (1.1%) year-over-year"}, {"label": "Texas labor force growth", "value": "3,600 net new", "context": "Over past year, near stagnation statewide"}, {"label": "National wage vs. inflation gap", "value": "1.5% vs 3.5%", "context": "Median earnings growth trails CPI, Q3 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "San Angelo's jobless rate keeps outperforming the state.", "body": "At 3.5% versus Texas's 4.4%, the metro continues a multi-month pattern of tighter labor conditions than the broader state, even as Texas's own job growth decelerated to 0.8% year-to-date against its 2% long-run average. Consistent outperformance strengthens the metro's positioning for site-selection and investment conversations, though it also means less slack to absorb a sudden demand shock."}, {"headline": "Healthcare wage gains look like a durable local trend.", "body": "Registered Nurse advertised pay climbed to $94,242 locally, a significant year-over-year gain that tracks national data showing physicians, surgeons, and therapists topping hiring demand. Combined with healthcare's standing as one of San Angelo's top employing industries, the wage trajectory appears structural, tied to demographic and care-demand pressures that are likely to continue."}, {"headline": "Manufacturing pay softened even as the sector grew statewide.", "body": "Manufacturing Production Worker advertised pay fell to a metro median of $28,822, a significant decline that diverges from Texas's broader manufacturing strength, where the state added 4,700 jobs in September on oil/gas and AI-related construction activity. Local employers and economic development officials may want to examine whether this reflects a shift in the composition of manufacturing roles locally, apart from any change in sector demand."}, {"headline": "Texas's labor force stall is a bigger risk than its unemployment rate.", "body": "Texas added just 15,800 workers to its labor force in September and only 3,600 over the full year, a near-stagnation that Dallas Fed analysts link partly to reduced immigrant labor supply. San Angelo's low local unemployment means the metro has even less room to absorb this statewide headwind if it narrows further, a factor relevant to any expansion-stage employer evaluating the metro."}], "local_conditions": "San Angelo's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 3.5% in September, down from 3.6% in August, with total nonfarm employment reaching a series-high 54,100 after adding 200 jobs on the month and 600 over the year. Momentum concentrates in healthcare, construction, and government, sectors that have anchored the metro's labor market even as statewide job growth decelerated and Texas labor force growth stalled to just 3,600 net new participants over the past year.", "implications": "San Angelo's 3.5% unemployment rate, nearly a full point below the state's 4.4%, signals a labor market with little slack, a condition that typically supports business expansion plans but also means local employers face a shallow pool of available workers if demand accelerates. Registered Nurse advertised pay rose to a metro median of $94,242, a significant increase consistent with the national pattern of healthcare leading hiring demand, suggesting the sector's wage momentum is structural and likely to persist beyond a single month. Commerce leaders evaluating expansion or relocation incentives should consider reviewing how the metro's labor force participation trends compare to statewide stagnation before assuming local labor supply will scale with demand.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Worth watching", "body": "San Angelo's unemployment rate has swung between 3.1% and 3.9% over the past six months; watch whether the September improvement to 3.5% holds or reverses as it did between April and June."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Texas's labor force growth has nearly flatlined statewide; any further softening could tighten San Angelo's already-thin labor supply further, a relevant consideration for any employer or developer planning a workforce-dependent expansion."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "Statewide manufacturing wage softness locally, despite sector growth at the state level, is worth tracking in San Angelo's Q4 employment data to see whether it reflects a shift in job mix or a broader local demand change."}, {"category": "Structural factor", "body": "National data show wages broadly trailing inflation (1.5% earnings growth versus 3.5% CPI in Q3). Local wage-versus-inflation divergence, if it widens, carries implications for consumer spending capacity across San Angelo's retail and service sectors."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 22880.0, "metro_p50": 28080.0, "metro_p75": 32240.0, "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": 22880.0, "metro_p50": 25510.0, "metro_p75": 28080.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31328.5, "metro_p50": 38480.0, "metro_p75": 39520.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 51036.5, "metro_p50": 80000.0, "metro_p75": 92629.75, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28760.0, "metro_p50": 32970.6, "metro_p75": 34876.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30784.0, "metro_p50": 34201.2, "metro_p75": 36856.75, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54389.0, "metro_p50": 66560.0, "metro_p75": 72903.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23920.0, "metro_p50": 28821.6, "metro_p75": 30143.25, "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": 33280.0, "metro_p50": 36562.0, "metro_p75": 38728.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "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": 24245.75, "metro_p50": 26104.0, "metro_p75": 27240.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30067.0, "metro_p50": 34010.0, "metro_p75": 39406.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32167.0, "metro_p50": 36596.0, "metro_p75": 38930.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 47439.0, "metro_p50": 55972.0, "metro_p75": 62400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 79328.0, "metro_p50": 94242.4, "metro_p75": 102800.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 113625.0, "metro_p50": 152500.0, "metro_p75": 167457.75, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "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": 55464.25, "metro_p50": 65000.0, "metro_p75": 66497.0, "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": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 54707.0, "metro_p50": 72500.0, "metro_p75": 82707.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "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": 27040.0, "metro_p50": 51688.0, "metro_p75": 55324.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 51058.5, "metro_p50": 77099.0, "metro_p75": 81310.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "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": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 79461.0, "metro_p50": 96918.0, "metro_p75": 109288.0, "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": 56771.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "stable", "postings_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 60801.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 34511.5, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 41064.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 54117.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 50908.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 64454.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 50607.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 29120.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 64931.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "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": "san-angelo-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "san-angelo-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "san-angelo-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:29:33.254996+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/san-angelo-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/san-angelo-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}