Texas Upstream Employment Increases in April

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) today highlighted new employment figures for the Texas oil and natural gas industry. According to TIPRO, employment in the Texas upstream sector increased by 400 jobs between March and April 2026, reflecting a decline of 1,300 jobs in oil and natural gas extraction (63,000) and increase of 1,700 jobs in support activities (130,200), 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 9,780 unique industry job postings in Texas during the month of April, a 7 percent increase compared to March, and 4,187 new job postings added during the month. In comparison, the state of Pennsylvania had 3,036 unique job postings in April, followed by California (2,820), Ohio (2,563) and Illinois (2,528). TIPRO reported a total of 61,004 unique job postings nationwide during the month of April within the oil and natural gas industry, a 1 percent increase compared to March, including 23,688 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 April with 2,478 postings, followed by Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (1,514), Crude Petroleum Extraction (687), and Petroleum Refineries (642). The leading four cities by total unique oil and natural gas job postings were Houston (2,613), Midland (649), Odessa (429) and Dallas (410), said TIPRO.

The top four companies ranked by unique job postings in April were Loves (591), Baker Hughes (321), Energy Transfer (295), and ExxonMobil (249), according to the association. Of the top ten companies listed by unique job postings in April, four companies were in the services sector, two gasoline stations with convenience stores, two midstream companies, one in the downstream sector, and one fully integrated oil and natural gas company. Top posted industry occupations for April included maintenance and repair workers general (291), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (282) and retail salespersons (280).

Top qualifications for unique job postings in April included valid driver's license (1,895), commercial driver's license (CDL) (228), and transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) card (206). TIPRO reports that 37 percent of unique job postings required a bachelor's degree, 33 percent had no education requirement listed, and 31 percent required a high school diploma or GED. There were 2,071 advertised salary observations (21 percent of the 9,780 matching postings) with a median salary of $53,100. The highest percentage of advertised salaries (31 percent) were in the $85,000 to $500,000 range.

Additional TIPRO workforce trends data:

• A list of unique job postings by state in April can be viewed here.
• A sample of industry job postings in Texas for April can be viewed here.
• The top three posting sources in April included www.indeed.com (3,668), www.simplyhired.com (2,513) and www.diversityjobs.com (1,305).

Furthermore, TIPRO also notes significant tax contributions by the state's oil and natural gas industry so far this year, which have been substantial. Citing data from the Texas comptroller's office, TIPRO reports that the industry has contributed more than $1.715 billion in revenue from oil production taxes between January and April 2026. Texas energy producers have also paid an additional $773 million in natural gas production taxes to state coffers in the first four months of the 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.

TIPRO also highlights data published recently by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reaffirming the United States is producing oil and gas at all-time records. Reporting from the EIA shows crude oil output in the United States last year increased by 3 percent, averaging a historic 13.6 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2025. Most of the annual U.S. crude oil production growth in 2025 came from the Permian Basin, where oil production grew last year by 280,000 b/d to top 6.6 million b/d, according to EIA figures. Meanwhile, natural gas production in the United States also is at an all-time high, the EIA data confirms. U.S. marketed natural gas production went up by 5.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2025 to average 118.5 Bcf/d, with most of the growth occurring in the Permian, Appalachia, and Haynesville regions. In 1Q26, U.S. marketed natural gas production has gone up further, averaging 120.2 Bcf/d, 4 percent more than the same period last year, the EIA says.

The following statement can be attributed to Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO:

"Texas oil and gas employment trends this month highlight the industry's strength and adaptability amid severe global energy market disruption. As international supply chains remain constrained and global inventories draw at record rates, Texas producers have sustained strong operational activity, supported rising employment and delivered increasing volumes of crude oil and LNG to both domestic markets and key international allies. These results demonstrate Texas' critical role in helping stabilize global energy supplies and supporting economic growth at home during a period of heightened volatility. Continued engagement with policymakers is essential to preserve regulatory certainty, advance practical permitting reforms and ensure the infrastructure investments needed to maintain Texas' leadership in reliable American energy production."