Oil and Gas Extraction Jobs Edge Up in August, BLS Data Shows
Oil and gas extraction employment in the US rose from 114,700 in July to 114,900 in August, according to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited by Rigzone. That uptick bucks a longer-term pattern: BLS figures show the sector’s employment count has increased from July to August in only three of the last ten years, with declines far more common over that stretch, including a drop from 117,200 to 115,900 during the same period last year.
The gain comes even as broader construction hiring has stalled, making the O&G extraction bump notable for anyone tracking where labor demand is actually holding up. Separately, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association told Rigzone that Texas upstream employment fell by 1,200 jobs between June and July 2026, split between a 300-job decline in oil and natural gas extraction and a 900-job decline in the service sector. TIPRO said job postings still point to “continued demand for talent” and expects employment growth to resume. TIPRO’s March state of energy report also found the US oil and gas industry employed 2,043,859 professionals in 2025, a net decline of 8,368 direct jobs versus 2024, with direct upstream jobs falling by 9,218 over the same period.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- The national August uptick suggests some near-term stabilization in O&G extraction hiring, a signal worth tracking for firms bidding wellsite, drilling, and completions support work in the coming months.
- Texas-specific data shows upstream extraction jobs still declined by 300 in July even as statewide postings stayed strong, so subcontractors in Texas basins should expect uneven demand by segment rather than a broad rebound.
- With direct US upstream jobs down 9,218 in 2025 versus 2024 per TIPRO’s report, contractors relying on client-side headcount for scope changes should factor continued tightness into staffing and pricing plans for 2026 work.
