Texas Clocks In at No. 1!
Texas has another big number to brag about! Job growth is leading the nation, and the latest figures offer plenty to unpack for businesses wondering where the state’s workforce is headed next.
The Numbers Keep Working
According to the latest data from the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas added 159,400 nonfarm jobs from August 2025 to August 2026, bringing total nonfarm employment to 14,469,300. That was the largest numerical gain of any state during the 12-month period, ahead of California’s 138,500 jobs and North Carolina’s 65,600.
The latest numbers build on the state’s earlier report on nation-leading job gains, which counted 168,000 new jobs between September 2024 and September 2025. The reporting periods have changed, but the more recent numbers show Texas maintaining its No. 1 spot for numerical job growth.
The state’s civilian labor force reached 15,932,639 in August 2026, while its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.4%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a national unemployment rate of 4.1% for the same month.
Where the Jobs Are Landing
The statewide total tells only part of the story. Professional and Business Services added 65,100 jobs from August 2025 to August 2026, while Leisure and Hospitality gained 33,700. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities collectively added 27,800 jobs.
Construction added another 17,400 jobs over the year, while Manufacturing employment dipped by 900. Those differences matter for employers deciding where to recruit, train, and invest, especially as industries compete for workers with increasingly specialized skills.
Career and technical education remains part of that equation. TWC has emphasized programs designed to give Texans hands-on training and credentials for high-demand fields, connecting workforce preparation more closely with the skills employers need.
For Texas businesses, the latest numbers offer more than bragging rights. They show where opportunity is growing, where workforce needs are shifting, and which corners of the economy are picking up steam.
For more resources to help keep business moving in Texas, head to https://www.guidetotx.com/business-consulting.
