Upstream Oil and Gas Employment Continues Growth in April, Nears 200,000

AUSTIN - Data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Texas Workforce Commission indicates that upstream oil and natural gas employment in Texas saw continued growth in April, edging up by 700 jobs and bringing the job count to within striking distance of 200,000 for the first time in over three years.

"Texas' energy leadership continues to meet domestic and global energy needs," said Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. "The additional employment, even during uncertain economic times, is a strong testament to the commitment of this industry to deliver."

At 199,400 upstream jobs, compared to the same month in the prior year, April 2023 jobs were up by 17,600-or 9.7%-over April 2022.

Since the COVID-low point in September of 2020, months of increase in upstream oil and natural gas employment in Texas have outnumbered months of decrease by 27 to 4. Industry has added 42,400 Texas upstream jobs, averaging growth of 1,368 jobs a month. These jobs pay among the highest wages in Texas, with employers in oil and natural gas paying an average salary of approximately $115,000 in 2022.

The upstream sector involves oil and natural gas extraction and excludes other industry sectors such as refining, petrochemicals, fuels wholesaling, oilfield equipment manufacturing, pipelines, and gas utilities, which support hundreds of thousands of additional jobs in Texas. The employment shown also includes "Support Activities for Mining," which is mostly oil and gas-related but also includes some small amount of other types of mining.

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Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry.