FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSTON — Today, the Energy Workforce & Technology Council released its September 2026 jobs report.
Energy services employment totaled 644,486 jobs in September, an increase of 5,421 positions from August, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Energy Workforce analysis.
The September increase builds on the relative stability seen across the energy services workforce throughout 2026, with companies adding workers as customer activity and demand support measured workforce growth.
U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate increased to 4.2%. August payroll growth was also revised downward by 29,000 jobs, from an initially reported 162,000 to 133,000.
“Meeting energy demand takes skilled people. September’s employment increase underscores the role of the energy services workforce in supporting production and reliable supply,” said Energy Workforce President Molly Determan. “Energy services companies continue to be deliberate in their hiring, adding workers where they see sustained customer demand rather than staffing up quickly in response to short-term market movements.”
Determan said the industry’s measured approach to hiring reflects a continued focus on building a durable, highly skilled workforce.
“Companies understand that the goal isn’t to rapidly add workers today only to be forced to make difficult workforce reductions if conditions change tomorrow,” Determan said. “They are focused on sustainable growth and retaining the skilled people they will need for the long term. That discipline is important for our companies, our workforce and the communities where our industry operates.”
State-by-State Breakdown
TX 314,058
LA 53,815
OK 49,045
CO 26,166
NM 24,104
CA 23,588
PA 23,330
ND 20,044
WY 14,952
OH 10,698
AK 9,990
WV 9,861
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About Energy Workforce & Technology Council
Energy Workforce & Technology Council is the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector, representing more than 625,000 U.S. jobs in the technology-driven energy value chain. Energy Workforce works to advance member policy priorities and empower the energy workforce of the future.
