(The Center Square) – Texas once again broke jobs records in November, reaching a record nearly 16 million people employed.
U.S. Department of Labor employment data is being released later than normal due to the federal government shutdown late last year.
In November, Texas set new records for having the greatest number of Texans working and the largest size of the state’s labor force. Texas also grew jobs at a faster annual rate than the country as a whole, according to Texas Workforce Commission data released Friday.
“Texas offers boundless opportunities for hardworking Texans and innovative entrepreneurs to thrive,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “We see proof of that promise as more Texans are working than ever in the history of our great state. Thanks to the strength of our economy and our skilled workforce, we continue to attract new business investments and spur job growth across dynamic and diverse industries. Texas is where the future is being built.”
Texas reached a new high with the largest civilian labor force ever reported in state history of nearly 16 million: totaling 15,938,500.
Texas’ civilian labor force added 59,500 people since September 2025, reaching a new record high level for the series, the TWC said. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 206,800 people.
Texas also reached a new record high for most Texans working, including the self-employed, totaling 15,264,700.
Texas nonfarm jobs totaled 14,321,000 after adding 7,300 positions over the month.
Texas also gained 146,300 jobs over the year from November 2024 to November 2025, for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1%, more than any other state. Texas also outpaced the national annual job growth rate by 0.4%.
“As Texas employers add thousands of jobs, TWC programs can help them grow, develop, and retain a skilled workforce,” TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said. “Initiatives like Skills for Small Business and the Skills Development Fund are training Texans for in-demand jobs that will cement Texas’ reputation as the best state in the nation for doing business.”
The Private Education and Health Services industry reported the largest private sector over-the-month increase in November, adding 5,700 jobs, the TWC said. Professional and Business Services added 3,900 jobs over the month; Manufacturing added 2,300. The Construction industry also grew by 2.8% in November, the highest of any major industry, the TWC said.
Texas’ nonseasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.2% fell below the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.3% for the first time in years. It has consistently been higher than the national rate.
The Amarillo metropolitan statistical area (MSA) reported the lowest nonseasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.1% in November, followed by the Midland MSA’s 3.2% and College Station-Bryan and San Angelo MSAs’ 3.3%.
The MSAs of Eagle Pass (8.3%), Brownsville-Harlingen (6.6%) and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission (6.3%), reported the highest unemployment rates. The border communities consistently report the highest unemployment rates every month, sometimes nearly double the national unemployment rate.
