(The Center Square) – This year was another record-breaking job creating year in Texas, with employers reporting nearly every month employment records that were broken from the previous month.
November was no different – with one exception. Last month, Texas’ labor force participation reached a 10-year high, according to new data published by the Texas Workforce Commission.
In November, Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force ever in state history of 15,536,100.
Texas also reached another new high for Texans working, including the self-employed, at 14,884,600.
Texas also added 274,300 nonfarm jobs over the year, from November 2023 to November 2024, more than any other state.
Last month, Texas’ civilian labor force broke another record. Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased to over 14.2 million, and Texas’ annual nonfarm growth rate reached 2%, outpacing the U.S. national growth rate by 0.6%.
“The No. 1 economy in America is built by Texans,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “Texas leads the nation in annual job creation and more Texans are working than ever before as we break record after record for total employment. With the Best Business Climate in the nation and a strong and growing workforce, Texas is where the future is building. To drive continuing job creation and expand economic opportunity for more Texas families, we will end burdensome overregulation, empower businesses of all sizes, and equip more Texans with the skills needed for the good-paying, high-demand jobs of tomorrow. Working together, we will keep Texas the economic engine of the nation in 2025.”
“After another month of job growth, the Texas labor force participation rate has reached a 10-year high, at 64.7 percent,” TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel said. “This positive trend shows the strength of the Texas workforce, its employers, and its job seekers.”
Of the industries reporting the most growth, the Private Education and Health Services industry reported the largest over-the-month increase in November after adding 5,900 jobs. Government jobs also added 3,500 over the month. Financial Activities added 3,000, growing by 3.4% over the year and outperforming the industry’s growth rate nationally by 2.8%.
“Texas continues to outpace the national employment growth rate, indicating that the Lone Star State is still the best place to live and work,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. “There are more than half a million job postings online, and TWC is dedicated to connecting Texans with new career opportunities.”
TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza said, “Employers continue to choose Texas because of our dynamic business environment, talented workforce, and strong community partnerships. TWC is here to support both individuals seeking to grow their careers and employers looking to strengthen their teams, ensuring Texas remains a leader in workforce excellence.”
Texas’ not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last month was 4.2%, higher than the national rate of 4%.
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the highest unemployment rate of 6.1%, followed by Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA’s 6%, and Brownsville-Harlingen MSA’s 5.4%.
Midland MSA reported the lowest of 2.8%, followed by Amarillo MSA’s 3.1% and College Station-Bryan MSA’s 3.2%.
