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Texas Expected to Gain 278,400 Jobs by 2026

4/7/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Dallas Federal Reserve forecasts Texas will add 278,400 jobs in 2026, a 1.9% gain, in a forecast released on April 3 based on multiple economic models including national GDP and oil prices.
Luis Torres, economist at the Dallas Federal Reserve, says December–January growth strengthened, but immigration declines and uncertainty may cap growth at 1.1%.
Texas posted an annualized 2.3% job growth in January.
The unemployment rate remained at 4.3%.

History

Historical Context

Texas's economic landscape has been shaped significantly by the oil and gas industry since the Spindletop discovery in 1901, which marked the state's rise as a leading oil producer. In 2016, Texas added 300,000 jobs, reflecting a 4.5% unemployment rate. However, ongoing reliance on energy sectors poses challenges, with projections of 278,400 jobs by 2026 amid fluctuating oil prices and immigration concerns.

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Story summary

The Dallas Federal Reserve forecasts Texas will add 278,400 jobs in 2026, a 1.9% gain, in a forecast released on April 3 based on multiple economic models including national GDP and oil prices.
Luis Torres, economist at the Dallas Federal Reserve, says December–January growth strengthened, but immigration declines and uncertainty may cap growth at 1.1%.
Texas posted an annualized 2.3% job growth in January.
The unemployment rate remained at 4.3%.

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