US, Texas Energy Services Jobs Dip in June After Three-Month Climb
Energy services employment in the U.S. and Texas slipped in June after three consecutive months of gains, Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine reports, citing new data from the Houston-based Energy Workforce and Technology Council.
Market Impact
U.S. energy services jobs totaled 627,259 in June, down from 633,115 in May, which had been the highest monthly total of 2026. The year began at 624,149 jobs in January. Texas followed the same pattern, falling to 305,653 jobs in June from a 2026-high of 308,519 in May, after starting the year at 304,687.
Four of the top five energy services states posted declines in June. Louisiana fell to 52,376 jobs, Oklahoma to 47,734, and New Mexico to 23,459. Colorado was the lone exception among the top five, edging up to 25,467 jobs from 25,449 in May.
Despite the pullback, the council characterized the broader trend as steady. Molly Determan, the council’s president, said on July 7 that “while month-to-month employment levels continue to fluctuate, the overall trend in the first half of this year has been one of stability.” She added that “the industry’s focus remains on maintaining a skilled workforce while operating efficiently and preparing for future opportunities” and that “companies are well positioned to respond while continuing to support reliable American energy production.” The data were compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics with analysis by the council.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Field service firms staffing up for rig and completions work in Texas should note the state lost 2,866 energy services jobs month-over-month in June, a signal to pace hiring rather than assume the May peak was a new baseline.
- Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico contractors saw parallel declines, so crews bidding across state lines should confirm current headcount needs with operators before committing labor to multiple basins simultaneously.
- Colorado was the only top-five state to add jobs in June, up 18 positions to 25,467, making it worth a second look for E&I, HDD and pipefitting crews seeking steadier near-term demand.
- Despite the dip, the council’s own framing calls the first half of 2026 “stable,” so subcontractors should treat June’s numbers as normal fluctuation rather than a downturn signal until a second consecutive monthly decline appears in the July data.
- Workforce planners should track the next Energy Workforce and Technology Council release for July figures to confirm whether June’s dip was a one-month correction or the start of a longer pullback in rig-adjacent hiring.
