Texas Border Business
Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)
AUSTIN, Texas – Citing the latest Current Employment Statistics (CES) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) highlighted new employment figures for the Texas oil and natural gas industry. According to TIPRO, employment in the Texas upstream sector increased by 4,100 jobs between April and May 2026, reflecting a decline of 300 jobs in oil and natural gas extraction (62,600) and an increase of 4,400 service sector jobs (134,900), subject to revisions.
TIPRO’s workforce analysis continues to indicate strong job postings for the Texas oil and natural gas industry. According to the association, there were 10,409 unique industry job postings in Texas during the month of May, a 6 percent increase compared to April, and 4,203 new job postings added during the month. In comparison, the state of Pennsylvania had 3,371 unique job postings in May, followed by California (3,092), Ohio (2,858) and New York (2,299). TIPRO reported a total of 65,320 unique job postings nationwide during the month of May within the oil and natural gas industry, a 7 percent increase compared to April, including 27,010 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 May with 2,548 postings, followed by Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (1,628), Petroleum Refineries (717), and Crude Petroleum Extraction (706). The leading four cities by total unique oil and natural gas job postings were Houston (2,698), Midland (686), Odessa (496) and Dallas (447), said TIPRO.
The top four companies ranked by unique job postings in May were Loves (686), Baker Hughes (346), Energy Transfer (328), and ExxonMobil (315), according to the association. Of the top ten companies listed by unique job postings in May, five companies were in the services sector, two midstream companies, one gasoline stations with convenience stores, one in the downstream sector, and one fully integrated oil and natural gas company. Top posted industry occupations for May included heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (439), maintenance and repair workers general (306), and retail salespersons (292).
Top qualifications for unique job postings in May included valid driver’s license (1,968), commercial driver’s license (CDL) (329), and transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) card (207). TIPRO reports that 36 percent of unique job postings required a bachelor’s degree, 34 percent had no education requirement listed, and 31 percent required a high school diploma or GED. There were 2,251 advertised salary observations (22 percent of the 10,409 matching postings) with a median salary of $58,200. The highest percentage of advertised salaries (28 percent) were in the $90,000 to $500,000 range.
Additional TIPRO workforce trends data:
-A list of unique job postings by state in May can be viewed here.
-A sample of industry job postings in Texas for May can be viewed here.
-The top three posting sources in May included www.indeed.com (3,745), www.simplyhired.com (2,928) and www.diversityjobs.com (1,282).
TIPRO also points to the strong tax contributions made last month by the state’s oil and gas industry that will be used to provide important sources of funding for public services and programs including Texas’ public schools and universities, roads, first responders, and other essential services. Citing data from the Texas comptroller’s office, TIPRO reports that Texas energy producers paid $677 million in oil production taxes in May. This represents an increase of over $100 million in collections compared to April 2026 and is 64 percent above amounts paid in May 2025. Producers also paid an additional $217 million to the state in natural gas production taxes in May.
Additionally, with news of a ceasefire agreement reached this past weekend ending the U.S. war with Iran and the anticipated reopening of the Strait of Hormuz allowing ships loaded with crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to safely travel the vital waterway again, global energy markets are responding. However, it will still take time for energy supply flows to fully resume, particularly through the Strait. In the meantime, reporting by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that disruptions to crude oil and refined product flows through the Strait of Hormuz have driven increased demand for U.S. supply. This pushed U.S. crude oil and petroleum product net exports in April to a record 5.8 million barrels per day (b/d), with May net exports staying close to that level. Overall, the EIA projects U.S. crude oil and petroleum product net exports to average 4.2 million b/d this year, up 1.4 million b/d from 2025. The agency also forecasts that average U.S. LNG exports will rise to 16.4 bcf/d in 2026 and surge to 18.1 bcf/d in 2027, up from a record 15 bcf/d in 2025. Texas remains at the epicenter of these energy exports, continuing to cement its position as a leading global energy supplier.
The following statement can be attributed to Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO:
“Texas oil and gas employment trends this month underscore the industry’s strength and adaptability amid escalating global energy market volatility. International supply disruptions have heightened uncertainty and global inventories continue to draw at record rates. In this environment, Texas producers have maintained robust operational activity and delivered increasing volumes of crude oil and liquefied natural gas to domestic markets and key international allies.
These results highlight the critical role of United States oil and natural gas production in stabilizing global energy supplies during periods of severe international disruption. Even if an agreement with Iran holds, a significant uncertainty, it will take months to normalize global supply. Continued engagement with policymakers remains essential to preserve regulatory certainty, advance practical permitting reforms and support the infrastructure investments needed to maintain Texas leadership in reliable American energy production.”
Information source: Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)
