Texas Upstream Employment Drops in July

Texas energy employment in the upstream sector contracted by 1,200 positions in July, marking the steepest monthly decline of the year. According to reporting by Rigzone, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) noted that the sector lost 900 service jobs and 300 extraction roles. This downturn represents the first instance of back-to-back monthly declines in 2026, after June figures were revised to show a loss of 300 jobs rather than an initial gain.

Despite the recent softening, the industry remains 1.8 percent higher than its January starting point, with total upstream employment standing at 195,800. TIPRO suggests the current pullback may be a temporary pause rather than a long-term shift, citing 10,951 unique industry job postings in Texas throughout July. The association noted that demand for talent remains high, particularly for heavy truck drivers and service-related roles in hubs like Houston and Midland.

Economic contributions from the sector remain robust even as hiring fluctuates. Tax revenue from oil and gas production reached $567 million and $241 million respectively in July, showing significant year-over-year increases. TIPRO President Ed Longanecker stated that these figures reflect an industry that is "indispensable even amid geopolitical volatility" and rising costs, though he cautioned that federal permitting delays and infrastructure needs continue to act as constraints on the market.