Texas is continuing to dominate national job growth, breaking multiple records in August. Nonfarm employment in the state reached 14,347,700 jobs, up by 17,600 from July and 195,600 over the past year. This growth rate of 1.4 percent outpaced the national rate by about half a point.
The civilian labor force also hit a record high at 15,857,300. It added 8,600 people over the month and 169,500 over the year. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for Texas was 4.7 percent, which is slightly above the national figure.
Leisure & Hospitality led the sectors with the highest monthly job gains, followed by Growth in Private Education and Health Services, and Construction. Over the year, Construction jobs in Texas grew at 2.2 percent, outpacing national growth in that field.
Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that these numbers show why Texas remains a top destination for business investment. He pointed to the state’s business climate, infrastructure, and skilled labor force as reasons companies are choosing Texas. State officials also said they will continue to focus on training, education, and removing barriers so all Texans can benefit from the growth.
Some regions still lag behind. Areas such as Eagle Pass, Brownsville‑Harlingen, and McAllen‑Edinburg‑Mission reported among the highest unemployment rates, outpacing many other parts of the state. Cities like Amarillo, Midland, and San Angelo had some of the lowest jobless numbers.
Economic analysts acknowledge Texas is in a strong position, but warn of challenges ahead, including maintaining affordable living for workers and ensuring growth is inclusive. As the labor force expands, the state will need to scale up education, healthcare, and infrastructure support to keep pace.
