(The Center Square) – Texas broke another employment record in January, reporting job growth in 43 of the past 45 months.
Similar to previous months, Texas again set new record highs for having the greatest total number of jobs, greatest number of Texans working, and the largest size of the Texas labor force in state history.
The Texas Workforce Commission released annual benchmarking revisions made by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to previously released monthly employment data.
New jobs records set were greater than first reported.
Texas reached a new high, reporting the largest labor force in state history of 15,143,400.
Texas also reached a new high for the greatest number of people working, including self-employed, totaling 14,558,800.
Texas also reached a new high for total jobs of 14,053,400 after adding 18,900 non-farm jobs in January.
In one year, from January 2023 to January 2024, Texas added 263,900 jobs, a 1.9% increase.
“The Texas labor market marked record-breaking growth with January over-the-month increases in jobs, Texans employed, and the civilian labor force,” the Texas Workforce Commission reported. “Following annual benchmarking revisions to the 2023 labor market data, Texas’ seasonally adjusted job count increased by 18,900 in January to reach 14,053,400 jobs and achieve growth in 43 of the last 45 months.”
The Texas seasonally adjusted civilian labor force grew over the month by 12,800 people to reach 15,143,400 in January. This included an additional 16,000 people employed over the month, of which 14,000 private sector jobs were added over the month in January, the TWC notes.
“Texas works when Texans work, and more Texans are working today than ever before in the history of our great state,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “Thanks to the Best Business Climate in the nation and the best workforce in America, we are seeing record-setting business expansion and job growth in Texas. With an unrelenting focus on expanding economic opportunity for all Texans through significant and historic investments in education, infrastructure, and workforce development, we continue to build a bigger, better Texas for generations to come.”
“Texas continues to lead the nation in job growth and economic stability,” TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel said, adding that the Texas labor force was continuing “to upskill” its workforce going into 2024.
TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said the agency was helping Texans “get the training, guidance, and support they need to continue our industry growth and remain the second largest economy in the U.S. The Texas Workforce System continues to assist more than 15.1 million people in the civilian labor force with employment and long-term careers.”
Over the month in January, five of 11 major employment industries saw series highs. The most significant private sector growth was reported in Other Services, adding 5,000 jobs; Professional and Business Services added 4,400; Private Education and Health Services added 4,000 over the month.
Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9% in January, still higher than the national rate but lower than it was in January 2023 of 4.1%.
In 2023, Texas added more jobs than any other state in the country, and every month led the U.S. in job growth.
