Texas leads the nation in job creation

Texas has emerged as the leading state for job creation over the past year, adding 327,400 “nonfarm jobs” to the economy since September 2023.

This job growth, highlighted Tuesday in a press release from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, showcases Texas as America’s top job creator.

“Texas continues to dominate as America’s jobs engine,” Abbott proclaimed.

Crediting the state’s business-friendly climate for this surge in employment, the governor also emphasized that Texas has attracted numerous businesses seeking shelter from high taxes and over-regulation in other states.

“With the Best Business Climate in the nation and a highly-skilled, diverse, and growing workforce, businesses and entrepreneurs find the freedom to innovate and grow in Texas,” he added.

The governor’s remarks follow the recent release of employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which highlights Texas’ high performance compared to the national landscape. Notably, Texas’ job growth rate outpaced that of the United States overall.

Texas has not only seen a rise in total jobs but also reached new highs in the number of working Texans, as well as the overall labor force size. Abbott’s press release notes that more than 2.4 million jobs have been added since he took office.

Additionally, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, the state has set new records across the board, achieving its largest labor force in history.

The number of Texans actively working, including those who are self-employed, has climbed to 14,819,800. The state also reached a milestone in total jobs, now standing at 14,289,900, following the addition of 29,200 non-farm jobs in September.

For perspective, as previously reported by The Dallas Express, U.S. overall job growth during the past year was notably weaker than previously estimated by many experts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary annual benchmark review indicated that there were actually 818,000 fewer jobs in March of 2024 than originally reported. The New York Times described the revision as “unusually large,” highlighting that the Bureau’s annual updates have typically adjusted job totals by about 173,000 over the past decade. The recent revision is 373% above that average.

Earlier this month, the governor announced a list of financial institutions participating in the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative Program, which offers loans to very small businesses (fewer than 10 employees) and small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), hoping to promote the creation of more jobs throughout the state.