(The Center Square) – Month after month, Texas keeps breaking its own employment records. As was the case in 56 out of the last 58 months, Texas once again broke its previous employment records in February, according to the latest Texas Workforce Commission data.
February was no different, with Texas again leading the U.S. in job creation over the past 12 months.
In February, Texas again broke its previous records for having the greatest number of total jobs, the greatest number of Texans working, and the largest labor force in state history.
The Texas labor market “continued to achieve record highs for both jobs and the civilian labor force in February,” the TWC said. Texas reached a new high for total nonfarm jobs, totaling 14,254,200 last month after adding 20,100 jobs in February.
Texas also reached a new high for the greatest number of people working in February, including the self-employed, totaling 15,126,900.
Texas also reached a new record high of having the largest labor force ever in state history last month of 15,770,300, according to the data.
“Texas continues to lead the nation for job creation because Texas is where the future is building,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “Thanks to our pro-growth economic policies and our skilled and growing workforce, Texas is a beacon of innovation and a magnet for new business investment across all industries. With more Texans working than ever before, the promise of the future is bright. We will build on our momentum, capitalize on new opportunities, and invest in our future for a stronger, more prosperous Texas than ever before.”
Over the year, Texas added 182,300 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025, bringing the total annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.3%, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.1%.
“February marks 56 of 58 months of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force, which achieved another new record high of 15,770,300,” the TWC said. Texas added more than 19,500 people over the month and 334,800 over the year to its civilian labor force, according to the data.
“With more than 20,000 jobs added the past month, Texas continues to see solid economic growth including the labor force,” TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel said.
The industries adding the most jobs last month were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry, which reported the largest over-the-month increase in February, adding 7,400 jobs; Leisure and Hospitality adding 6,000 and Construction adding 5,200. Texas’ Financial Activities industry grew by 2.6% over the year, outperforming the national industry growth rate by 1.7%, TWC notes.
“Continued labor market growth through February is fueling economic expansion across Texas, creating more opportunities for Texans to find meaningful employment and improve their quality of life,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. The TWC is “investing in essential resources like career training, vocational rehabilitation, childcare and adult education” to help workers, he added.
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last month in Texas was 4.3%, slightly lower than the national rate of 4.5%.
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) reported the lowest not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.2% in February, followed by Amarillo’s 3.3% and San Angelo’s 3.4%.
Eagle Pass MSA reported the highest unemployment rate of 9.1%, followed by McAllen-Edinburg-Mission’s 6.1% and Brownsville-Harlingen’s 5.6%.
