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Southeast Texas Works Podcast! Labor Market expert shares insights on Southeast Texas job growth
Southeast Texas continues to see strong economic activity and job growth, offering opportunities for both job seekers and employers.
In the latest episode of Southeast Texas Works podcast, we're joined by William Lutz, Economist at the Texas Workforce Commission,
who provides an in-depth look at the region's labor market.
According to Lutz, Southeast Texas had a banner year in 2024, with job growth around 4%, higher than the state average (2%). The Southeast
Txeas region added more than 5,000 jobs in the 18-month period from January 2024 through July 2025, highlighting steady growth in key
industries such as manufacturing and construction. Southeast Texas has a higher concentration of employment in these sectors compared
to the state overall, and these industries continue to drive regional economic development.
Also, the region's unemployment rate has tracked closer to the state average in 2025, reflecting a more balanced labor market and strong demand for workers.
When it comes to occupations in demand, Lutz highlights healthcare, construction, education, and transportation. Top positions include
registered nurses, truck drivers, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and welders. Manufacturing roles such as first-line
supervisors, operators, machinists, and assemblers are also in high demand. Many of these jobs offer wages above the regional median, with
manufacturing median wages at $35.31/hour and experienced workers in the region earning upwards of $35.65/hour.
Wages in Southeast Texas are competitive with the state average and combined with the region's lower cost of living compared
to major metropolitan areas, this provides a strong incentive for workers to build careers locally. Lutz emphasizes that both
high-skill and skilled-trade occupations are critical to the region's economy, providing opportunities for a wide range of job seekers.
For those interested in exploring local employment trends further, Lutz points to resources like
TexasLMI.com and TexasWages.com,
which offer current labor market data, economic visualizations, and one-page economic profiles for each region of the state. The
latest labor market information is also available on the Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas website:
setworks.org/labor-market-information
Listen to the full episode of Southeast Texas Works to hear William Lutz break down employment trends, in-demand occupations, and wages that make the region competitive and resilient:
setworks.org/podcasts. The podcast is also available on Spotify, Stitcher, Google, and Apple.
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