Workforce

Midland, Texas is rich in talent. It is the talent of our people, their hard work ethic, and desire to succeed and innovate that has led to consistent economic growth in our region. Business leaders know that they can count on our workforce to deliver consistent results and support mission-critical objectives.

Education

A well-educated workforce is essential in a competitive global environment and workers must be able to update and expand their knowledge as new technology and ways of working evolve. The Permian Basin has more than 260,000 professionals in the regional labor pool that have the educational expertise and technical aptitude to serve your industry. Many of these workers have post-secondary education and Midland has nearly twice the national average of trained engineers.

The Midland MSA has added over 19,000 jobs since January 2017 (Texas Workforce Commission). Post-secondary and higher education resources are readily available within the Midland area to serve area residents and businesses.

Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area
  Civilian Labor Force Employed  Unemployed Unemployment Rate
March 2021 97,356 9,920 7,436 7.6%
February 2021 97,061 89,040 8,021 8.3%
January 2021 97,723 89,671 8,052 8.2%
December 2020 98,752 90,805 7,947 8.0%
September 2020 905,145 95,037 10,108 9.6%
August 2020 106,263 97,703 8,560 8.1%
July 2020 102,658 93,040 9,618 9.4%
June 2020 102,444 92,761 9,683 9.5%
May 2020 100,656 87,788 12,868 12.8%
April 2020 97,746 87,652 10,094 10.3%
March 2020 108,404 104,796 3,608 3.3%
February 2020 111,058 108,568 2,490 2.2%
January 2020 110,981 108,531 2,450 2.2%
December 2019 107,732 105,489 2,243 2.1%
November 2019 108,457 106,144 2,313 2.1%
October 2019 108,004 105,761 2,243 2.1%
September 2019 107,912 105,705 2,207 2.0%
August 2019 107,381 105,001 2,380 2.2%
June 2018 105,128 102,995 2,133 2.0%

Click here to read the full March 2021 Midland MSA report

Permian Basin Workforce Development Area*
  Civilian Labor Force Employed  Unemployed Unemployment Rate
March 2021 243,950 222,537 21,413 8.8%
February 2021 244,222 221,111 23,111 9.5%
January 2021 244,638 221,613 23,025 9.4%
December 2020 246,264 223,585 22,679 9.2%
September 2020 268,406 240,131 28,275 10.5%
August 2020 269,892 246,178 23,714 8.8%
July 2020 261,620 234,999 26,621 10.2%
June 2020 260,843 234,097 26,746 10.3%
May 2020 256,803 222,084 34,719 13.5%
April 2020 244,001 217,125 26,876 11.0%
March 2020 269,395 258,531 10,864 4.0%
February 2020 274,863 267,179 7,684 2.8%
January 2020 273,741 265,863 7,878 2.9%
December 2019 270,903 264,181 6,722 2.5%
November 2019 272,138 265,334 6,804 2.5%
October 2019 270,895 264,411 6,484 2.4%
September 2019 269,739 263,324 6,415 2.4%
August 2019 268,229 261,428 6,801 2.5%
June 2018 259,966 252,786 7,180 2.8%
*Counties in WDA: Andrews, Borden, Crane, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Howard, Loving, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Reeves, Terrell, Upton, Ward, & Winkler

Click here to read the full March 2021 Permian Basin WDA report