The Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) released a new analysis on energy sector job trends in the state. Among its main findings, the analysis indicates that despite an unprecedented and difficult year for oil and gas, the energy industry remains the backbone of the Texas economy and is expected to maintain that crucial role for years to come.

Following the downturn in the economy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which directly impacted energy jobs across the state, upstream employment rose in both September and October, with the Texas upstream sector gaining over 2,100 jobs in those two months. These trends align both with recent increases in the Texas rig count and with an uptick in global demand for oil and gas as the world slowly begins to mobilize again. TIPRO Chairman Brent Hopkins, who also is CEO of Suemaur Energy, told Natural Gas Intel:

“Despite an unprecedented array of challenges facing the Texas oil and natural gas industry this year, the sector continued to provide significant economic support to the state and will continue to do so for decades to come.”

The evidence of reemerging job growth in oil and gas can also be seen in job listings. Tens of thousands of jobs are available, and currently, energy sector growth is outpacing other industries in Texas. TIPRO explains:

“There were 26,922 total job postings for the Texas upstream sector from September to October, of which 3,429 were unique. These numbers show a posting intensity of 8-to-1. This is higher than the posting intensity for all other occupations and companies in the region (6-to-1), typically indicating that employers may be trying harder to hire for positions in this sector.”

The TIPRO analysis also examined where new oil and gas job opportunities were being posted within the Lonestar state. It is no surprise that the oil and gas capital of the world, Houston, led the pack, followed by other metro-hubs for energy:

1. Houston 
2. San Antonio  
3. Midland  
4. Odessa  
5. Dallas

As oil and gas bounces back from a turbulent 2020, energy employers will seek a diverse set of skills – from master’s degrees to unique licenses. The top five qualifications for unique job postings includes: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Science in Business, and various transportation-related qualifications, including commercial driver’s license, tanker endorsement for hauling bulk liquids,  and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card for workers who need access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels in the United States.

TIPRO President, Ed Longanecker, echoed the positive trends contained in TIPRO’s report. “With the right policies in place, Texas can prepare the workforce of the future to allow the continued success of the oil and gas industry and other key sectors in the state that heavily rely on it,” he told Natural Gas Intel.

Click here to see the full TIPRO report.