Governor Greg Abbott recently announced that The Lone Star State is ahead of the nation in job growth. Over the past year, Texas employers created an impressive 274,600 nonfarm jobs, outpacing the national average.
The state also shattered records, reaching historic highs in both the number of Texans employed and the overall size of its labor force.
“Texas grows jobs at a faster annual rate than the U.S. because Texas moves at the speed of business,” said Governor Abbott in an official statement. “Meeting the changing needs of Texas entrepreneurs and businesses is paramount to ensure ongoing job growth across industries. That is why the state of Texas invests in workforce development and career training to prepare our young and growing labor force for high-demand, good-paying jobs.”
As Local Profile previously reported, data from the Texas Demographic Center show that Texas' population is estimated to have exceeded 30.7 million people this year. In Collin County alone, the population has risen by more than 13%.
Historic, All-Time High
Texas achieved a historic milestone, reaching an all-time high in its labor force with 15,497,100 individuals. The number of Texans employed, including self-employed workers, also hit a record 14,858,700. Over the past year, from October 2023 to October 2024, the state added 274,600 nonfarm jobs, surpassing the national growth rate.
What Sectors Saw Growth
Among the notable job gains the financial activities sector led with an impressive 6,200 new positions, outpacing the national growth rate by 2.8 percentage points. The leisure and hospitality sector saw a boost of 4,900 jobs, while both the information and manufacturing sectors each added 1,900 jobs.
“With more than four million Texans participating every year in those skills training programs and Texas removing regulatory roadblocks that burden small businesses and job growth, we will build a bigger, better Texas for all,” Abbott said.
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