Texas’s job market is breaking records on multiple fronts, positioning the Lone Star State as the nation’s employment powerhouse heading into 2026.
November labor market data shows Texas added 146,300 jobs over the past year, more than any other state in the nation, while simultaneously achieving historic highs in both total employment and labor force size. The state’s annual job growth rate outpaced the national average by 0.4 percentage points, with unemployment holding at 4.2% — comfortably below the national rate of 4.6%.
Record-Breaking Numbers
Just how big is the Texas workforce now? As of November 2025, the state’s labor force has swelled to nearly 16 million people (15,938,500), with more than 15.2 million Texans employed. Total nonfarm employment reached 14,321,000 jobs, another all-time high for the state.
“Texas offers boundless opportunities for hardworking Texans and innovative entrepreneurs to thrive,” Governor Greg Abbott stated. “We see proof of that promise as more Texans are working than ever in the history of our great state.”
The momentum isn’t new. Back in June 2025, Texas had already posted record employment levels exceeding 15.2 million, with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. “The Texas labor market has continued to trend positively over the past few years as the state’s population has continued to swell,” according to the Texas Labor Market Review.
Long-Term Growth Trajectory
What’s driving this exceptional performance? Economic analysts point to Texas’s business-friendly environment and population growth as key factors. The state has consistently outperformed national averages in job creation, with particularly strong showings in both goods-producing industries (12.8% growth over ten years) and service sectors (22.2% growth).
Long-term projections paint an even more impressive picture. Employment in Texas is expected to grow by more than 2.1 million jobs from 2022 to 2032 — a robust 14.7% increase that dwarfs the projected national growth of just 3.1% from 2024 to 2034.
The state government has been quick to highlight these achievements. “Thanks to the strength of our economy and our skilled workforce, we continue to attract new business investments and spur job growth across dynamic and diverse industries,” Abbott added. “Texas is where the future is being built.”
Despite national economic uncertainties, Texas’s labor market resilience stands out. The state’s consistent ability to outpace national job growth rates by significant margins suggests structural advantages that may continue to benefit workers and businesses alike well into the future.
For the nearly 16 million Texans now participating in the workforce, these record-breaking statistics aren’t just numbers — they represent paychecks, opportunities, and economic security in a state that continues to define itself as America’s economic engine.
