The Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) has reported an increase in employment within the state’s upstream oil and gas sector. According to new data from the Texas Workforce Commission, 2,200 jobs were added in May 2025, marking a total increase of 7,300 jobs or 3.6% since the beginning of the year.
In May 2025, the number of jobs in Texas’s upstream oil and gas industry reached 208,200, which is an increase of 5,000 from May 2024—a rise of 2.5%. TXOGA reports that since September 2020, when employment numbers hit a low point, the sector has seen a growth of 51,200 jobs or a 33.7% increase. This equates to an average addition of approximately 875 new jobs per month.
The upstream sector encompasses oil and natural gas extraction and includes support activities for mining primarily related to oil and gas. It does not cover other industry areas such as refining, petrochemicals, or pipeline operations, which also contribute significantly to employment in Texas.
According to TXOGA President Todd Staples: “In these times of geopolitical uncertainty and military conflict, Texas remains not only a supplier of barrels but a builder of confidence.” He further said that it is encouraging to witness job growth and for Texas and America to be perceived as stable trading partners. Staples said that as global economic conditions and trade relationships realign, adjustments in employment, capital expenditures, and production are outcomes that provide long-term stability in energy production. He emphasized that as the nation’s top producer and a world leader, Texas is well-positioned to meet power demands with its growing infrastructure system.
Established in 1919, TXOGA represents Texas’s oil and natural gas industry including major producers and independent operators. Its members are responsible for most crude oil and natural gas production in the state as well as refinery operations and pipelines. The association focuses on legislative advocacy for policies supporting industry growth while providing industry data and engaging with media through its board comprised of over 50 industry leaders.