Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas gained the most nonfarm jobs in the nation in 2025.
December labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows:
- Texas gained 132,500 jobs from December 2024 to December 2025, more than any other state and outpacing the national annual job growth rate by half a percentage point.
- Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force ever in the state’s history at 15,964,000.
- Texas reached a new high for Texans working, including self-employed, at 15,283,600.
- Texas reached a new high for total nonfarm jobs at 14,341,000 after adding 19,700 positions over the month.
- The Texas unemployment rate registered at 4.3%, below the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.4%.
The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in December after adding 9,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 3,700 jobs over the month while Professional and Business Services added 3,000. In addition, Private Education and Health Services posted an annual growth rate of 2.3 percent in December, which was the highest of any major industry.
The Amarillo metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.8 percent in December. It was followed by the Midland and San Angelo MSAs, which both registered at 2.9 percent.
The Governor’s full press release can be found here. The Texas Workforce Commission’s press release can be found here. More information can be found on TexasLMI.com.
