News Summary
Texas is experiencing significant economic growth, with a forecasted job market boom leading into 2029. Major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin are set to receive a substantial share of new employment opportunities. Along with large metropolitan growth, smaller regions are also witnessing job increases, contributing to a robust labor force. Noteworthy sectors like trade and hospitality are driving this trend, positioning Texas as a prime location for job seekers seeking dynamic career opportunities.
Texas is poised for significant economic growth through 2029, outpacing the national job growth rate. The state’s job market has registered impressive gains, adding 28,100 positions in May alone, bringing the total to 14.3 million jobs. This represents a striking contrast to the national increase of just 1.1% in the same period. As of May, Texas had a civilian labor force of nearly 15.84 million with a stable unemployment rate of 4.1%. The outlook is bright, with projections indicating that Texas will continue to expand its job market significantly in the coming years.
Job growth in Texas, however, will not be uniform. Larger metropolitan areas are expected to attract the majority of jobs. Approximately 46% of all new positions are projected to be created in the greater Houston and Dallas areas. The greater Austin area is leading the pack with an anticipated annual job growth rate of 2.09%. Other smaller metropolitan areas, such as Midland, Brownsville-Harlingen, and Tyler, are also anticipated to see notable job increases, contributing to the overall healthy economic environment.
The Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is forecast to add around 150,300 wage and salary jobs over the next five years. The Dallas-Plano-Irving area is expected to gain a remarkable 322,400 jobs in the same timeframe, while the Fort Worth-Arlington-Grapevine area is projected to add about 121,800 new roles. El Paso is also on track for significant growth, with an anticipated addition of 34,700 positions across various industries. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA is forecasted to be the strongest performer, expected to create 355,900 new jobs in the next five years. Meanwhile, the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission economy is set to add 30,000 jobs despite facing regional challenges, and the San Antonio-New Braunfels area is expected to gain approximately 123,700 new wage and salary jobs.
In recent months, specific sectors have shown particularly strong job growth. The trade, transportation, and utilities sector led the charge in May, contributing 8,400 new jobs. Similarly, the leisure and hospitality sector saw a growth of 8,200 jobs during the same month, with San Antonio and Austin regions alone adding 2,400 and 3,700 jobs respectively in this category. From June 2024 to June 2025, Texas experienced a net increase of 198,300 non-farm jobs, again surpassing national rates.
By June 2025, Texas’s unemployment rate improved to 4%. The private education and health services sectors were particularly robust, adding 6,900 jobs over the past year. Even in regions like Midland, where unemployment has dipped to as low as 3%, there are signs of a thriving local job market. Conversely, the Eagle Pass area reported the highest unemployment at 9.9%, highlighting the disparities within the state.
Governor Greg Abbott has emphasized the resilience and strength of the Texas economy in light of its growth, while also being responsive to challenges faced by communities affected by recent floods. The state’s proactive approach in providing disaster assistance is indicative of its commitment to ensuring that job growth continues to flourish while supporting those in need.
As these trends evolve, the outlook for the Texas job market remains optimistic. With a diverse range of sectors contributing to employment growth and a clear focus on metropolitan development, Texas is set to lead the way in economic expansion through 2029.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Austin American-Statesman
- Wikipedia: Texas
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Search: Texas job market 2025
- The Center Square
- Google Scholar: Texas economy
- Hoodline
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas economy
- Axios
- Google News: Texas job growth
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
