Texas Leads All States For Annual Job Gains

August 21, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today touted Texas’ jobs leadership with the release of July labor market data showing Texas gained 165,600 nonfarm jobs over the last 12 months, more than any other state. Texas also outpaced the nation’s annual job growth rate by a full percentage point, growing at 1.2% from July 2025 to July 2026.

“The hard work of Texans powers America’s most dynamic economy,” said Governor Abbott. “Our skilled workforce and best-in-the-nation business climate gives innovative job creators the confidence to invest in Texas. That is why Texas leads every state in annual job gains and sets the pace for business expansion.”

July labor market data released by the Texas Workforce Commission and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows:

• Texas outpaced the nation’s annual job growth rate by a full percentage point, growing at 1.2% from July 2025 to July 2026.
• Nonfarm jobs in Texas totaled 14,468,000 after a gain of 165,600 jobs from July 2025 to July 2026.
• Texans working, including self-employed Texans, totaled 15,207,200.
• The Texas labor force totaled 15,915,600 with a gain of 17,800 people over the last 12-month period.

Industry sectors showing the fastest growth rates in Texas from July 2025 to July 2026 include Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction. Government services saw a decline over that time period.

Texas has gained more than 2.6 million jobs under Governor Abbott’s leadership and is now home to 57 Fortune 500 headquarters, hundreds of publicly traded firms, and more than 3.5 million small businesses. During the Governor’s tenure, the Texas economy has expanded from the 12th-largest to the eighth-largest economy compared to the nations of the world.