(The Center Square) – Texas again broke jobs records in December and led the U.S. in job gains again last year.
“Texas is America’s jobs leader because Texas is where free enterprise flourishes and where hard work is rewarded,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “That is why Texas tops all states for business relocations and expansions. Job-creating businesses — large and small — invest with certainty in Texas and in our young, skilled, and growing workforce. With more Texans working than ever before, we begin a new year of boundless opportunity in Texas.”
In 2025, Texas once again added the most nonfarm jobs of any state in the U.S. and in December again broke its own records in three categories.
Texas broke its own records in December for having the most nonfarm jobs, the most Texans working, and the largest labor force in state history, according to the latest jobs data released by the Department of Labor. The data was released later than normal due to the government shutdown last fall.
Over the year, Texas gained 132,500 jobs from December 2024 to December 2025, more than any other state in the country. Texas’ nonfarm growth rate of 0.9 percent outpaced the national growth rate by half a percentage point.
Texas also reached a new high recording the largest labor force in state history of 15,964,000 in December. This is after 25,000 people entered the workforce over the month.
“This marks a new record-high level for the series,” the Texas Workforce Commission said. “Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 236,300 people.”
Texas also reached a new high for having the most Texans working, including the self-employed, at 15,283,600, according to the data.
Texas also reached a new high for having the most nonfarm jobs of 14,341,000 after adding 19,700 positions over the month.
“Texas added more than 19,000 jobs in December, with growth spread across a majority of major industries,” Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza said in a statement. “We are focused on ensuring Texas remains a national leader in economic opportunity through innovative, forward-looking initiatives like Skills for Small Business, the Texas Internship Network, and Texas Industry-Recognized Apprenticeships.”
The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry reported the largest private sector over-the-month increase in December, adding 9,500 jobs, the TWC said. Leisure and Hospitality added 3,700 jobs over the month; Professional and Business Services added 3,000. The Private Education and Health Services sector grew by 2.3 percent in December, the highest of any major industry, it said.
Texas’ not Seasonally Adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9%, slightly below the national rate of 4.1%.
The Amarillo metropolitan statistical area (MSA) reported the lowest unemployment rate of 2.8% in December, followed by Midland and San Angelo MSAs each reporting 2.9%.
Border communities historically have high unemployment rates. The Eagle Pass MSA reported the highest unemployment rate of 8.7%, followed by Brownsville-Harlingen and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSAs each reporting 6.4%. The Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA, in an oil and natural gas refinery region, reported 5.2%.
Of Texas’ 28 MSAs, 17 had an unemployment rate below the national rate.
