Since the COVID-low point, industry has added 50,000 Texas upstream jobs

AUSTIN – Data released by the Texas Workforce Commission indicates that upstream oil and gas employment in Texas continued to grow in October, with the sector adding 2,800 jobs. Also notably, the job gain for September was revised upward to 2,200 from the original estimate of 900.

“Texas oil and natural gas producers are steadily adding jobs as our state’s economy continues to strengthen even amidst high inflation, a testament to our state’s free-market principles and the oil and natural gas industry’s commitment to producing the fuel and products that power modern life,” said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. “Even as global unrest persists, this industry’s focus on providing energy security and economic strength for our state and nation remains steadfast.”

Since the COVID-low point of September of 2020, months of increase in upstream oil and gas employment in Texas have outnumbered months of decrease by 22 to 3. Since the COVID-low point, industry has added 50,000 Texas upstream jobs, averaging growth of 2,000 jobs a month. At 207,000 upstream jobs, compared to the same month in the prior year, October 2022 jobs were up by 36,500, or 21.4%, over October of 2021. These jobs pay among the highest wages in Texas, with employers in oil and natural gas paying an average salary of approximately $109,000 in 2021.

Oil and gas extraction is upstream activity, meaning that it excludes other sectors in the industry such as refining, petrochemicals, fuels wholesaling, oilfield equipment manufacturing, pipelines, and gas utilities. The employment shown also includes “Support Activities for Mining”, which is mostly oil and gas-related but includes some small amount of other types of mining, also.

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Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry.