Texas Added 159,400 Nonfarm Jobs Over Past Year

State employment grew by 1.1% through August 2026, helping to push the total number of working Texans to over 15.2 million.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a steel construction frame, evoking Texas economic growth and labor force expansion. — Texas employers added 159,400 nonfarm jobs between August 2025 and 2026, bringing the state's total workforce to more than 15.2 million residents. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Texas employers added 159,400 nonfarm positions between August 2025 and August 2026. This growth brought the total number of Texans currently working to 15,225,100.

Why it matters

The steady rise in nonfarm employment highlights continued workforce demand across the state. This trend indicates that companies across key sectors are expanding their payrolls, contributing to a total labor force that grew to 15,932,600 over the 12-month period.

The state saw 159,400 net new nonfarm jobs added compared to the prior 12-month period. This expansion brought total state employment to 14,469,300 as of August 2026, with an additional 5,600 positions created during the final month of the reporting period.

The players

Texas Workforce Commission

The state agency responsible for tracking employment trends, managing unemployment benefits, and overseeing workforce development programs for Texas residents.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The federal agency that produces labor market data, including job growth and unemployment rates, which are used to inform national and state financial policy.

The details

Job gains were led by growth in Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction. These increases reflect broader hiring patterns as businesses adjust their capacity to meet demand. The figures were compiled by the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide a comprehensive look at the state's economic health.

August 2025 marked the beginning of the 12-month reporting period.
August 2026 served as the end of the 12-month job growth reporting period.

Money Landscape

The current 1.1% growth rate places Texas ahead of national hiring trends. This performance reflects a sustained period of workforce expansion compared to historical state averages.

The persistent expansion of the labor market may offer more opportunities for those looking to negotiate new salaries or switch employment fields. Households should monitor local wage growth trends in fast-expanding sectors like construction to better understand their competitive earning potential.

The takeaway

Texas continues to see notable job expansion, outpacing national averages over the last year. Workers may want to track industry-specific growth reports to identify sectors where demand for new staff remains the highest.