When it comes to creating jobs, Texas takes the cake. More than 270,000 positions were added across the state from March 2023 to March 2024, according to the latest employment estimates from the Texas Workforce Commission.
At a 2% annual growth rate, it’s the largest increase in nonfarm employment across the country.
Texas added 19,100 jobs in March, increasing the seasonally adjusted total to 14,115,700. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.9% for the tenth consecutive month, 0.1 percentage points behind the U.S. rate at 3.8%.
“Texas continues to be a top place for growth and economic success with thousands of jobs added by employers in March,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Our world-class workforce of talented Texans attracts employers from many expanding industries.”
The leisure and hospitality industry, which for years has been struggling with labor shortages, added 7,300 jobs in March and mining and logging added 3,700 positions.
There were 11,524 active unique job postings for the Texas oil and natural gas industry last month, including 3,839 new job postings added during the month by companies, according to the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
“As demand for oil and natural gas expands globally, and geopolitical conflicts escalate, Texas continues to play an outsized role in providing energy to fuel our economy, support our allies and protect our national security,” said Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO.
The labor force grew by more than 20,000 in March, according to estimates, including 12,000 employed Texans.
