Texas reports 14.46 million nonfarm jobs in October, outpacing national growth
Texas employers reported 14,461,300 nonfarm jobs in October 2026, a count that kept the state’s annual employment growth rate ahead of the nation even after a September loss of 11,100 jobs.
The figure reflects a labor market that added 154,300 jobs over the past year, delivering a 1.1% growth rate that outpaced the national rate by 0.8 percentage points, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
The state’s civilian labor force reached 15,948,400 after a monthly gain of 15,800 workers, while the private sector contributed 160,400 jobs to the yearly total.
“Texas is where opportunity knows no bounds,” Governor Greg Abbott said. “With the best business climate and strongest workforce in America, Texas grows jobs faster than the nation as a whole and wages have risen to an all‑time high.”
Chairman Joe Esparza of the Texas Workforce Commission added that the more than 154,000 jobs added over the year “reflect balanced growth across Texas industries,” and credited innovative programs such as the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants for equipping students with skills needed by employers.
Manufacturing posted the largest private‑sector gain in October, adding 4,700 jobs, followed by Professional and Business Services with 1,600 jobs and Information with 1,400 jobs. Government Services reported the biggest decline for the month.
Unemployment in Texas held at a not‑seasonally‑adjusted 4.3%, compared with a 4.0% national rate, both lower than August’s 4.3% and 4.6% respectively. The Midland metropolitan area posted the lowest local unemployment at 3.2%, while Eagle Pass, Brownsville‑Harlingen and McAllen‑Edinburg‑Mission recorded the highest rates, each slipping further from the previous month.
State officials announced more than $20 million in JET career‑training grants for schools nationwide and highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Hiring Red, White & You! career fairs and the Texas HireAbility campaign, which aim to connect Texans of all abilities with training and resources for lifelong careers.
