Texas Added 159,400 Jobs Over Past Year
Business owners should note hiring trends as payrolls grew 1.1% in Texas through August 2026.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Employment
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Texas employers added 159,400 nonfarm positions between August 2025 and August 2026, bringing the total number of working residents to 15,225,100. This growth, which saw 5,600 jobs added in August 2026 alone, indicates a consistent pace of hiring across the state.
Why it matters
The steady rise in total payrolls and labor force participation provides operators with a benchmark for local talent availability and market capacity. Understanding these figures helps managers assess competitive hiring pressures in sectors like professional services and construction.
Texas reached a total of 14,469,300 nonfarm positions in August 2026 as the state labor force expanded to 15,932,600. These figures reflect a 12-month growth period with a 1.1% increase in employment vs. the prior year.
The players
Texas Workforce Commission
The state agency responsible for overseeing workforce development, employment services, and the compilation of regional labor statistics for Texas businesses.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The federal principal fact-finding agency that produces essential data on labor market activity and price changes for the U.S. economy.
The details
The state's growth was broad-based, with Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction leading the expansion. Operators should track these industry-specific shifts as indicators of local wage competition and capacity for scaling operations within the Texas market. Data from the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continue to serve as the primary inputs for these regional labor market assessments.
Timeline
August 2025 marked the beginning of the 12-month employment growth reporting period.
August 2026 concluded the 12-month period with 14,469,300 total nonfarm jobs in Texas.
Market Landscape
This report follows the standard methodology established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Employment Statistics program to track monthly payroll changes. The data mirrors a period of steady economic expansion in the region that consistently outpaced national labor growth averages.
Business owners should review these growth rates when planning their upcoming Q4 hiring budgets and talent retention strategies. Use the industry-specific growth data to identify if your sector is facing localized labor tightening compared to statewide averages.
The takeaway
Texas maintains a strong labor trajectory, with key service and construction sectors driving the current demand for staff. Operators should benchmark their own payroll growth against the 1.1% annual state average to gauge their competitiveness in the local hiring market.
Further reading
For a broader look at current regional trends, visit Employment.
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