Texas Oil and Gas Jobs See Third Consecutive Month of Growth
The Texas Oil and Gas Association has reported a significant increase in upstream oil and natural gas employment for the third consecutive month, according to data released by the Texas Workforce Commission. In May 2026, there were 197,500 jobs in this sector, up from 157,000 in May 2020.
Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, attributed the growth to the Permian Basin's impressive production numbers. 'The Permian Basin is the powerhouse of production,' he said. 'There's been a 430% increase in the Permian production from 2015 to 2025; it's gone from 1.1 million barrels a day to 5.9 [million barrels a day].'
Kirk Edwards with Latigo Petroleum noted that oil prices between $60-$90 have contributed to the positive trend, allowing producers to 'lock in' and maximize production.