The Texas Workforce Commission reported record highs for jobs and the civilian labor force in February 2025:
- Texas’s civilian labor force estimate, not seasonally adjusted, was 15,840,500.
- The state added 20,100 jobs over the month, reaching a new high of 14,254,200 nonfarm jobs.
- Texas added 182,300 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025, the most nationwide.
- The state’s annual nonfarm growth rate was 1.3%, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.1 percentage points.
- February marked 56 of 58 months of growth for Texas’s civilian labor force, achieving a record high of 15,770,300.
- The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1%.
- Texas’s Financial Activities industry grew by 2.6% over the year, outperforming the industry’s national growth rate by 1.7 percentage points.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics (BLS), Texas continued to lead in job growth in March 2025. The preliminary, seasonally adjusted employment rate was 14,282,600, an increase of 192,100, or 1.4%, over 12 months.
Why Texas Leads the Nation in Job Creation
In February 2025, Texas broke all previous records for total jobs, the number of Texans working, and the size of the Texas labor force. The state’s pro-growth economic policies and skilled, growing workforce focus on business investment and innovation across industries. Building on its momentum, capitalizing on new opportunities, and investing in the future support continuous prosperity.
Financial Sector Growth in Texas
After a decade of growth in the financial sector, major companies are moving to or being established in Texas:
New York Stock Exchange, Texas
In February 2025, the New York Stock Exchange announced plans to reincorporate NYSE Chicago in Texas and rename it NYSE Texas. Because Texas has the largest number of NYSE-listed companies of any U.S. state, it is a market leader in supporting a pro-business atmosphere. After gaining regulatory approval, the fully electronic equities exchange will be headquartered in Dallas.
NASDAQ, Inc.
In March 2025, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), Inc. announced the creation of a new regional headquarters in Dallas to serve the Southeastern U.S., Texas’s diversified state economy, and prioritization of growth and innovation contributed to the decision.
Texas Stock Exchange
The Texas Stock Exchange is being developed to enhance issuer competition, create the premier venue for listings, and build a world-class trading platform for market participants. The objective is to align issuers and investors and increase innovation and competition in U.S. equity markets.
Governor Greg Abbott believes the addition of NYSE Texas, NASDAQ, Inc., and the Texas Stock Exchange will help the Lone Star State become the financial capital of the United States. Establishing the state as a global economic powerhouse will advance pro-growth economic policies that help entrepreneurs and businesses thrive, increasing Texas’s strength and prosperity.
Hire Top Talent in Texas
Texas continues to lead the nation in job creation, economic expansion, and financial sector growth, making now the ideal time to strengthen your workforce. Whether you’re building out your finance team, hiring tax professionals, or expanding in human resources or technology, UNITY can connect you with the skilled professionals you need to stay ahead.
Want to learn more about 2025 market trends and compensation in accounting, finance, tax, human resources, and technology? Click here to download the 2025 UNITY Salary Guide, a free resource designed to help you stay competitive, attract top talent, and make smarter hiring decisions.