The number of jobs in Texas is growing faster than anywhere else in the nation, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Workforce Commission.
At the same time, the state has set new records for the number of Texans working and the size of its workforce.
Employment data for July shows that the Texas labor force has hit an all-time high of 15,353,700, an increase of 248,900 over the past year. The number of Texans working, including the self-employed, is 14,731,400.
The unemployment rate in Texas in July was 4.1%, two percentage points below the national rate.
“Our skilled and growing workforce is a magnet for innovative businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to expand and succeed,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press release. “As a result, Texas employers added jobs at a faster rate than the nation over the last 12 months and more Texans are working than ever before.”
“The diversity of industries growing across our great state is a testament to the resilience of Texas businesses and the Best Business Climate in America. With increasing investments in education, innovation, and workforce training, we continue to build a bigger, better Texas for all,” he added.
Earlier this month, during a visit to the Portland (TX) Chamber of Commerce, Abbott spoke about what has made Texas so successful at attracting businesses.
“One of the sales pitches is that we’ll do whatever we can to get you here, but know this, once you arrive we are partners. Texas will remain in this partnership every step of the way,” Abbott said, per KRISTV.
He added that this applies not only to the state level but also to the local level.
“No other state can compete with Texas because no other state has the level of commitment by local governments and chambers of commerce,” Abbott said.
More than half a million work opportunities are currently listed on the Texas Workforce Commission website, which job seekers can access at WorkinTexas.com.