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 declined by 900 jobs between January and February 2026, reflecting a loss of 300 jobs in oil and natural gas extraction (63,900) and 600 jobs in support activities (127,600), subject to revisions.
Despite the downward trajectory for upstream employment in early 2026, TIPRO’s workforce data continues to indicate strong job postings for the Texas oil and natural gas industry in February following a decline in Q4 2025. According to the association, there were 8,554 unique industry job postings in Texas during the month of February, and 3,706 new job postings added during the month. In comparison, the state of California had 2,529 unique job postings in February, followed by Pennsylvania (2,452), Ohio (2,176), and Illinois (1,831). TIPRO reported a total of 54,091 unique job postings nationwide during the month of February within the oil and natural gas industry, including 22,778 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 February with 2,100 postings, followed by Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (1,171), Petroleum Refineries (761) and Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas (613). The leading four cities by total unique oil and natural gas job postings were Houston (2,207), Midland (583), Odessa (355), and Dallas (330), said TIPRO.
The top four companies ranked by unique job postings in February were Energy Transfer (392), ExxonMobil (338), Love’s (310) and Baker Hughes (250), according to the association. Of the top ten companies listed by unique job postings in February, five companies were in the services sector, two midstream companies, one in the gasoline stations with convenience stores category, one in the downstream sector, and one fully integrated oil and natural gas company. Top posted industry occupations for February included heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (282), retail salespersons (275), maintenance and repair workers general (229), and pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (174).
Top qualifications for unique job postings in February included valid driver’s license (1,770), commercial driver’s license (CDL) (243) and transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) card (164). TIPRO reports that 37 percent of unique job postings required a bachelor’s degree, 32 percent required a high school diploma or GED, and 31 percent had no education requirement listed. There were 2,058 advertised salary observations (24 percent of the 8,554 matching postings) with a median salary of $50,000. The highest percentage of advertised salaries (32 percent) were in the $75,000 to $500,000 range.
Additional TIPRO workforce trends data:
-A list of unique job postings by state in February can be viewed here.
-A sample of industry job postings in Texas for February can be viewed here.
-The top three posting sources in February included www.indeed.com (3,221), www.simplyhired.com (2,280) andwww.diversityjobs.com (1,181).
Tax contributions by the state’s oil and natural gas industry have also remained significant so far this year, notes TIPRO. Citing data from the Texas comptroller’s office, the industry contributed more than $1 billion in revenue from oil production taxes between January and March 2026, says TIPRO. Texas energy producers have also paid $550 million in natural gas production taxes to state coffers this year. Funding generated by state oil and natural gas production taxes is used to support public schools, universities, roads, infrastructure, and other essential public services, explains TIPRO.
Amid the ongoing military conflict with Iran, TIPRO also underscores the critical link between robust domestic production and U.S. energy security. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) recent Short-Term Energy Outlook shows U.S. crude oil production will top 13.51 million barrels per day (b/d) this year, while U.S. natural gas production is expected to average 120.67 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2026. Texas remains the primary engine behind these strong production figures, ensuring steady and reliable energy supplies for the country and helping strengthen our nation’s energy security despite heightened geopolitical tensions.
The following statement can be attributed to Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO:
“At a time when global energy markets are experiencing significant volatility due to the ongoing conflict with Iran and risks in the Strait of Hormuz, our state’s leadership on energy production is more vital than ever. Sustained output, disciplined workforce management and substantial tax contributions underscore Texas’ critical role from an economic standpoint, in stabilizing global supply and strengthening U.S. energy security. Federal policy must capitalize on the strong momentum now underway in Congress for permitting reform and advancing other pro-energy initiatives to support domestic producers and the buildout of critical energy infrastructure.”
Information source: Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)
