Texas Employment Reached Historic Highs in August

Texas Workforce Commission • September 18, 2023

After continued growth through the month of August, Texas has once again set new records for the number of jobs, number of people employed, and size of the civilian labor force. Total nonfarm employment increased by 16,700 positions over the month to reach a 23rd consecutive series-high level with 13,979,100 jobs and a 30th consecutive month of growth. Since August 2022, Lone Star State employment grew by 402,000 positions and continued to outpace the nation in the rate of annual employment growth.

The number of employed persons grew by another 24,300 people over the month, raising the new record high to 14,489,000. The Texas seasonally adjusted civilian labor force grew over the month by another 33,500 people, raising the total to 15,111,900 and marking another record high for the state. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.1 percent in August, marking the fourth month at that rate.

“After 30 straight months of job growth, the number of employed Texans has reached more than 14.4 million,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC supports the state’s continued economic growth through programs like Jobs and Education for Texans and the Skills Development Fund, that help upskill the Texas workforce to meet employer demand.”

Leisure and Hospitality saw significant growth over the month with 9,100 jobs added. Another 5,000 jobs were added in Other Services, while Financial Activities gained 3,300 positions. Over the year, the job market grew faster in Texas than the U.S. in industries such as Mining and Logging and Financial Activities, which outpaced national growth rates by 3.9 and 3.0 percentage points, respectively. Other Services also grew 2.7 points faster in Texas than nationally over the year.

“Our world-class Texas workforce has grown by more than 400,000 jobs over the last year, thanks largely to the energizing job creation by our private-sector employers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “This continued growth highlights TWC’s unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and building partnerships with Texas employers across the state.”

The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) maintained the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.8 percent in August, followed by Amarillo at 3.6 percent, College Station-Bryan at 3.8 percent, and Odessa at 3.8 percent. Abilene, Austin-Round Rock, and Lubbock were each at 3.9 percent through August. The Midland MSA civilian labor force grew the fastest in the state at 5.5 percent in August. The civilian labor force in Dallas-Fort Worth grew by 4.6 percent, adding more than 195,000 people and representing 40 percent of all MSA growth over-the-year.

“We continue to strengthen the Texas civilian labor force with career pathways through apprenticeship, internship and second chance hiring,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “TWC empowers economic growth with services such as quality child care and early learning, technical training, vocational rehabilitation, and job finding resources.”

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). *All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.

Build a Stronger Workforce with TWS-VRS

March 18, 2026
Finding and keeping great employees is one of the biggest challenges for any business. Texas Workforce Solutions–Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS) offers support to help employers do both. TWS-VRS partners with businesses to provide customized solutions for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. These services are designed to save time, reduce costs, and strengthen your workforce. Hire with confidence TWS-VRS connects employers with qualified, pre-screened candidates. This helps reduce recruitment time and costs while giving businesses the chance to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Employers can also benefit from customized training opportunities that can be delivered directly at their worksite. This ensures new hires are prepared to succeed from day one. Access expert support at no cost Partnering with TWS-VRS gives businesses access to expert consultants who specialize in workplace accommodations and assistive technology. These professionals can help you find practical solutions to support your employees. Employers can also receive guidance on available tax credits and incentives, helping offset costs while improving workplace accessibility. Support and retain valued employees TWS-VRS also helps businesses retain employees whose performance may be affected by a physical, sensory, or mental impairment. Services include:  Counseling and guidance Skills and workplace assessments Accommodation consultations Referrals to community support resources These services are available to employees who are: Experiencing challenges due to a disability At risk of losing their job Returning from disability-related leave Seeking advancement but need additional support The benefits of job retention Keeping experienced employees benefits both the individual and the business. With support from TWS-VRS: Businesses retain trained and knowledgeable staff Employees maintain income, benefits, and seniority Recovery time can improve with continued engagement at work Long-term disability impacts may be reduced Partner for success TWS-VRS provides common-sense solutions that help businesses hire qualified candidates and support employees already on the job. Partner with TWS-VRS today to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce while saving time and resources.

Tyler Workforce Center Relocates to Midtown Centre on Beckham

March 17, 2026
Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) is pleased to announce the relocation of its workforce center to the Midtown Centre. The new Tyler workforce center location will open in mid-April and operate at the Midtown Centre shopping center at 1421 S. Beckham Avenue. The business hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Workforce Solutions East Texas is a community partnership providing no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in the East Texas area. The chief elected officials in the region, the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board, and the board's administrative agency, the East Texas Council of Governments, elected to lease the 28,500-square-foot facility. The boards approved entering a seven-year lease term with three three-year extension options. “We’re excited to offer employers and prospective employees a tremendous facility. It allows ample space for recruitment of skilled workers, interviewing, training, enhancing respected skills, and receiving the resources necessary to become valued, long-term assets to the Tyler business community and the surrounding area. I believe employers will see this facility as a force multiplier to ongoing work in building their businesses. Employees will see this as a critical link between their hard work in preparation and the job in which they’ll excel. Together, we’ll set the stage for the next generation in Tyler’s economic development,” said Workforce Solutions East Texas’ Executive Director, Doug Shryock. “Please bear with us as we will be opening in phases, as upgrades to the facility are underway.” The current Workforce Solutions East Texas—Tyler office at 4100 Troup Highway will be closed to the public beginning March 20th at 5:00 PM until mid-April to move. During this time, staff will serve customers virtually by calling 1-844-ETWORKS. What assistance can Job Seekers receive at a Workforce Solutions center? Job listings and referrals Resume assistance Veterans services Community resource information Child care information Copier, fax machine, telephone, and computer access Internet access Labor market information Career exploration and planning GED information & referral Job search workshops Occupational training information Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and other partners What assistance can Employers receive at a Workforce Solutions center? On-site recruiting Interviewing and hiring Job Fairs Internet-based job postings Assistance with customized skill training Wage and labor market information Employee layoff assistance Additional assistance is available to veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people who have been dislocated from a job. Details on workforce center locations and service hours can be viewed at www.easttexasworkforce.org/locations.

Success Story: Dawson McElroy

March 17, 2026
When Dawson McElroy walked into Workforce Solutions East Texas, he was seeking more than a job—he was seeking a new direction in life. Fresh out of rehab, Dawson was determined to rebuild. “I was in a bad dip in my life, and I wasn’t doing too good,” he shared. “I had just gotten out of rehab and was looking for a job when I heard about the WIOA program.” Dawson had long dreamed of earning his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and becoming a truck driver, but the cost of training made it feel out of reach. Through the WIOA program at Workforce Solutions East Texas, he found the opportunity he needed to turn that dream into a plan. With support from the Workforce team, Dawson enrolled in CDL training at Texas State Technical College in Marshall, taking a major step toward a career that could offer stability, independence, and the chance to see the country. “The WIOA program is a very step-by-step process,” Dawson explained. “You keep timesheets, you stay in contact with your advisor, and it keeps you responsible. It kept my mindset in the game and helped keep me on track.” That structure, and the people behind it, made all the difference. Dawson worked closely with his advisors, including Sheila Godfrey, Leticia Hollins, Theressa Jackson, and Theresa Hoffer, who guided him through each step of the program. They checked in on his progress, helped him navigate challenges, and ensured he had the support needed to stay focused on his goals. “If I messed up on anything, I could always talk to my advisor, and they would help me fix it,” Dawson said. “They stayed in the loop with me about what I needed to do.” Beyond training support, the program also helped remove barriers that could have derailed his progress. Assistance, such as gas cards and transportation support, ensured Dawson could continue attending training and completing work requirements. “They are willing to go that far in the WIOA program,” Dawson said. “I’m thankful to the workforce team and everybody that helped me.” Thanks to the support and guidance of his team, Dawson overcame his barriers and achieved two milestones along his journey: earning his CDL license and landing a new job at Horizon Cables. Reflecting on how far he has come, Dawson speaks openly about the challenges of his past and the power of choosing a new path. “The past me was in a deep, deep rut. Rock bottom had a basement and I’ve seen that,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. If you give yourself the opportunity to get clean and move forward, there’s nothing stopping you from succeeding in this life.” Dawson’s journey is a powerful example of how the right support, structure, and opportunity can help individuals rebuild their lives—turning second chances into new careers and new beginnings.
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