Texas Workforce Commission said March 10 that Texas added 48,600 nonfarm jobs in January – the most since October 2022 and the 16th straight month of record employment in the state. Each of the 11 major sectors of the workforce added jobs, including an additional 2,500 jobs in mining and logging (includes oil and gas). Statewide unemployment was 3.9 percent; it’s been below 4 percent since March 2022 to indicate that a tight labor market continues. Dallas Morning News said, “That’s a challenge for employers looking to add talent and grow. But it’s a boost for workers looking to improve their prospects… Oil and gas has been hiring at a rapid clip for over a year, and its strength was expected to continue.” TWC said Midland, buoyed by a resurgent oil and gas industry, had Texas’ lowest unemployment rate in January of 2.7 percent.