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Texas’ Annual Employment Growth Continues to Outpace the Nation

News Category Press Releases
December 22, 2023

AUSTIN ⎯ Texas’ labor market achieved a new record high as the state’s seasonally adjusted job count reached 14,094,900, an increase of 26,800 positions over the month of November. Lone Star State employment set new record high levels in each of the last 26 months and added 407,100 positions since November 2022, ranking No. 1 in the nation in over the year increase of seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. Texas’ employment growth rate continued to outperform with 3.0 percent annual growth from November 2022 to November 2023—outpacing the nation’s more modest 1.8 percent. 

The Texas seasonally adjusted civilian labor force grew over the month by 30,800 people to reach 15,192,900 in November. This marked the 11th consecutive monthly increase and included the addition of 39,700 Texans employed. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.1 percent.

“Texas continues to lead the nation and break records for economic growth,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “With more than 26,000 positions added in November, TWC continues to connect job seekers and employers to keep Texas working.”

Statewide, eight of 11 major industries in Texas expanded over the month. Professional and Business Services saw significant growth with 9,900 jobs added while the Construction industry gained 9,200 jobs in November. Another 5,100 positions were added in Private Education and Health Services. Furthermore, six of the 11 major industries set new employment highs in November, including Construction, Financial Activities, Professional and Business Services, Private Education and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Government.

“Texas continues to outpace the nation in job growth as Texans take advantage of the many options available for their next career opportunity,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “TWC has various programs and services available to provide the right training and tools needed by job seekers to enter into a diverse range of high-demand occupations.”

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) maintained the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.2 percent in November, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 2.6 percent, and College Station-Bryan at 2.7 percent.

“The Texas labor market has continued to thrive month after month, and continues to lead the nation in many categories,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “As we head into 2024, the future looks bright for Texas employers across the state seeking to expand their business and tap into the state’s growing workforce.”

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). *All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.

The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for December is scheduled to be released on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).
 

Civilian Labor Force Estimates for Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas Not Seasonally Adjusted (In Thousands)
 November 2023October 2023November 2022
C.L.F.Emp.Unemp.RateC.L.F.Emp.Unemp.RateC.L.F.Emp.Unemp.Rate
United States167,977.0162,149.05,827.03.5167,774.0161,676.06,098.03.6164,272.0158,749.05,523.03.4
Texas15,277.114,741.8535.43.515,183.714,605.4578.23.814,765.914,222.6543.33.7
Abilene82.980.42.42.982.479.72.73.281.278.52.63.3
Amarillo138.5134.93.62.6137.5133.54.02.9136.0132.13.92.9
Austin-Round Rock1,469.41,424.944.53.01,460.41,411.648.83.31,412.21,372.739.62.8
Beaumont-Port Arthur170.9162.28.75.1169.1160.38.85.2166.6157.59.25.5
Brownsville-Harlingen183.2174.68.64.7181.2172.38.94.9177.2167.89.45.3
College Station-Bryan154.0149.94.22.7153.1148.54.63.0149.1144.54.63.1
Corpus Christi206.6198.68.03.9205.2196.68.64.2201.7192.88.94.4
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington4,494.24,345.9148.23.34,474.94,313.3161.63.64,313.24,168.3144.93.4
Dallas-Plano-Irving MD3,050.22,949.5100.73.33,038.42,928.6109.83.62,923.92,826.397.63.3
Fort Worth-Arlington MD1,443.91,396.447.53.31,436.61,384.751.93.61,389.31,342.047.33.4
El Paso381.7366.615.14.0379.2362.616.64.4374.3358.915.34.1
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land3,645.13,506.5138.63.83,624.83,476.5148.24.13,530.73,391.3139.53.9
Killeen-Temple188.7181.57.33.9187.5179.58.04.3184.0176.37.74.2
Laredo120.8116.64.23.5119.8115.34.53.7117.4112.94.53.8
Longview99.896.03.83.898.994.94.14.197.393.53.94.0
Lubbock173.1168.24.92.8171.7166.35.53.2168.5163.05.53.2
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission387.8367.520.45.3381.6361.719.95.2374.2351.822.46.0
Midland116.8114.32.52.2115.3112.62.82.4111.1108.32.82.6
Odessa87.985.42.62.987.184.32.83.285.082.12.93.4
San Angelo57.856.11.73.057.355.41.93.456.354.51.83.2
San Antonio-New Braunfels1,303.61,261.442.23.21,295.01,248.746.33.61,261.51,217.544.03.5
Sherman-Denison68.265.92.33.367.765.22.53.766.364.02.33.5
Texarkana63.461.22.23.463.260.92.23.562.159.72.43.9
Tyler114.4110.63.83.3113.8109.74.13.6112.3108.34.03.5
Victoria45.443.81.63.545.143.31.73.944.743.01.73.9
Waco138.3134.04.33.1137.4132.64.83.5134.5129.94.63.4
Wichita Falls65.463.32.23.364.962.62.43.764.061.72.33.6
Texas Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment Seasonally Adjusted
INDUSTRY TITLENov 2023*Oct 2023Nov 2022Oct '23 to Nov '23Nov '22 to Nov '23
Absolute ChangePercent ChangeAbsolute ChangePercent Change
Total Nonagricultural14,094,900 14,068,100 13,687,800 26,800 0.2   407,100 3.0     
Total Private12,024,600 12,000,500 11,671,300 24,100 0.2   353,300 3.0     
Goods Producing2,019,600 2,012,500 1,941,400 7,100 0.4   78,200 4.0     
Mining and Logging224,200 224,300 209,800 -100 0.0   14,400 6.9     
Construction821,400 812,200 785,700 9,200 1.1   35,700 4.5     
Manufacturing974,000 976,000 945,900 -2,000 -0.2   28,100 3.0     
Service Providing12,075,300 12,055,600 11,746,400 19,700 0.2   328,900 2.8     
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities2,799,700 2,801,800 2,747,900 -2,100 -0.1   51,800 1.9     
Information243,100 241,300 235,200 1,800 0.7   7,900 3.4     
Financial Activities928,500 928,300 892,700 200 0.0   35,800 4.0     
Professional and Business Services2,160,900 2,151,000 2,110,500 9,900 0.5   50,400 2.4     
Education and Health Services1,924,600 1,919,500 1,833,100 5,100 0.3   91,500 5.0     
Leisure and Hospitality1,475,400 1,473,600 1,451,200 1,800 0.1   24,200 1.7     
Other Services472,800 472,500 459,300 300 0.1   13,500 2.9     
Government2,070,300 2,067,600 2,016,500 2,700 0.1   53,800 2.7     

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Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers, and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and its services in coordination with its local workforce development boards network, call 800-628-5115 or visit https://twc.texas.gov/. Subscribe to email updates to receive notifications about TWC programs and services.