Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Due to the federal government shutdown and suspension of related services last year, the Current Employment Statistics (CES) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was delayed until the government resumed operations. CES data was released simultaneously for the months of October and November 2025. The analysis below corresponds with the latest CES report and provides additional insight on markets trends.
According to the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO), employment in the Texas upstream sector declined between October and November 2025, with oil and natural gas extraction jobs increasing modestly by 100 to 69,600 (+0.1 percent m/m), buoyed by Permian Basin efficiencies, while support activities employment fell by 3,600 to 131,600 (-2.7 percent m/m) amid rig count erosion (down 7.6 percent y/y) and service sector streamlining. Combined upstream employment decreased by 3,500 jobs to 201,200 (-1.7 percent m/m).
From January to November 2025, employment in the Texas upstream sector displayed early resilience followed by late-year softening, noted TIPRO. Oil and Gas Extraction added a net 1,400 jobs (+2.1 percent), peaking at 70,200 in June and July before a -400 dip from August to November, driven by robust Permian production but offset by layoffs and lower oil prices. Support Activities employment saw a net loss of 3,700 jobs (-2.7 percent), with a February–May surge (+2,800) undone by mid-year declines (-3,400 in June–July) and further erosion (-4,500 from August to November), reflecting rig count and services reductions. Combined, the sectors lost 2,300 jobs (-1.1 percent), reaching 201,200 by November, underscoring the industry’s critical yet volatile role in sustaining Texas’ energy workforce.
TIPRO’s workforce data continues to indicate strong job postings for the Texas oil and natural gas industry in November, but analysis revealed a decline in Q4 driven by lower oil prices, industry consolidation, and ongoing efficiency gains, which allow companies to maintain or increase production with reduced hiring activity. According to the association, there were 8,619 unique job postings during the month of November compared to 9,344 in October, and 3,434 new job postings added during the month. In comparison, the state of Pennsylvania had 2,840 unique job postings in November, followed by California 2,588, Ohio 2,346, and Illinois 2,200. TIPRO reported a total of 55,996 unique job postings nationwide during the month of November within the oil and natural gas industry, including 23,784 new postings.
Among the 19 specific industry sectors TIPRO uses to define the Texas oil and natural gas industry, Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations led in the ranking for unique job listings in November with 2,095 postings, followed by Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (1,569), Petroleum Refineries (738), and Crude Petroleum Extraction (577). The leading four cities by total unique oil and natural gas job postings were Houston (2,178), Midland (570), Dallas (333) and Odessa (297), said TIPRO.
The top four companies ranked by unique job postings in November were Love’s (723), Energy Transfer (245), John Wood Group (236), and ExxonMobil (232), according to the association. Of the top ten companies listed by unique job postings in November, six companies were in the services sector, two in the gasoline stations with convenience stores category, one midstream company and one fully integrated oil and natural gas company. Top posted industry occupations for November included maintenance and repair workers general (300), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (293), and retail salespersons (263).
Top qualifications for unique job postings in November included valid driver’s license (1,478), commercial driver’s license (CDL) (210), and transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) card (207). TIPRO reports that 37 percent of unique job postings had no education requirement listed, 36 percent required a bachelor’s degree and 29 percent required a high school diploma or GED. There were 2,241 advertised salary observations (26 percent of the 8,619 matching postings) with a median salary of $53,100. The highest percentage of advertised salaries (26 percent) were in the $85,000 to $500,000 range.
Additional TIPRO workforce trends data:
- A list of unique job postings by state in November can be viewed here.
- A sample of industry job postings in Texas for November can be viewed here.
- The top three posting sources in November included www.indeed.com (2,792), www.simplyhired.com (2,355) and www.dejobs.org (1,217).
Actuals for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) in late 2025 and early 2026 reflect a challenging market environment from an industry standpoint, notes TIPRO. Prices ended 2025 around $57 to $58 per barrel and are currently trading in the $57 to $58 range as of early January 2026, amid persistent global oversupply. EIA’s December 2025 Short-Term Energy Outlook projected a 2025 annual average of approximately $65 per barrel for WTI, but actuals came in lower due to inventory builds and non-OPEC supply growth. For 2026, the EIA forecasts an annual average of about $51 per barrel for WTI (with Brent at $55), and Q1 2026 potentially averaging around $55 for Brent (with WTI tracking closely lower), though market consensus points to the high $50s to low $60s if demand stabilizes or geopolitical factors provide support. Optimistic scenarios suggest potential rebounds toward $58 to $60 early in the year from seasonal upticks or supply disruptions, while bearish outlooks warn of further declines to $50 or below if oversupply persists. The Permian Basin, driving nearly half of U.S. oil production at around 13.6 million barrels per day in 2025, is projected to see only marginal growth to about 6.56 million barrels per day in 2026 (with overall U.S. crude dipping slightly to 13.5 million b/d), underscoring efficiency gains but ongoing profitability pressures at sub-$60 prices that are driving cautious capital spending, workforce adjustments, and a pivot toward natural gas amid rising LNG and AI data center demand.
The following statement can be attributed to Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO:
“Texas producers continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience through operational efficiencies and innovation. These advancements, bolstered by supportive policies, enable the industry to effectively address current challenges while capitalizing on escalating demand from manufacturing, AI-driven data centers and international exports. Texas innovators stand prepared to meet this growing need, but a sustained focus on advancing pro-energy policy is indispensable to expedite critical projects, minimize unnecessary delays, safeguard jobs and reinforce the nation’s energy dominance.”
Information source: Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)
