Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas has reached a new record for total non-farm employment, adding 46,800 jobs in March. The gain brings the state’s total number of non-farm positions to 14,403,500, marking an annual increase of 117,200 jobs since March 2025.
This milestone, according to the Governor’s office, reflects a labor force that now exceeds 15.9 million people, with Texas continuing to outpace the national annual job growth rate.
The new employment record reflects a steady expansion of the state’s working population—now totaling 15,236,600 including self-employed individuals—which state leaders attribute to a combination of regulatory reductions and targeted workforce investments. This momentum comes as the state has added nearly 2.6 million jobs since early 2015, reinforcing its role as a primary driver of the U.S. economy.
According to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the monthly increase of 46,800 jobs was accompanied by a gain of 82,200 people entering the labor force over the last year. This expansion occurs at the same time the state is trying to streamline operations for the state’s more than 3 million active businesses.
Previous reporting by The Texas Dispatch detailed the Secretary of State’s expansion of “Texas Express” expedited business filing services, a move specifically designed to help entrepreneurs and investors formally register businesses more quickly to facilitate financing and hiring.
To maintain this growth, the state is prioritizing direct pathways from classrooms to high-demand careers. Last week, Governor Abbott highlighted the Concrete Industry Management program at Texas State University, which provides specialized technical training for the construction sector. This focus on vocational skills follows previous reporting by The Texas Dispatch on April 30, 2026, regarding the opening of $17 million in state grants under the TRUE and TIME programs to support reskilling and upskilling for roles such as medical assistants, plumbers, and HVAC technicians.
Additionally, the state recently utilized the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund to award a $20.8 million grant for a 500-job expansion in Sugar Land, as reported by The Texas Dispatch on April 29, 2026. These investments are key components of the “Building a Talent Strong Texas” strategic plan, which focuses on ensuring Texans earn credentials that hold direct value in the workforce.
“Texas is where free enterprise flourishes and jobs grow,” Governor Abbott stated, noting that the state’s skilled workforce remains a primary magnet for continued business investment.