Business boosters often describe Texas as an economic engine. A new ranking from personal finance website WalletHub underscores that assessment.
WalletHub put Texas at No. 8 on its new list of the best states for jobs. Nebraska grabbed the No. 1 spot, and West Virginia landed at No. 50.
To compile the list, WalletHub evaluated 34 metrics from two categories: job market and economic environment. It then crunched the numbers to create a score for each state. A score of 100 represents the most favorable conditions for job seekers.
Texas ranked 25th in the job market category and second in the economic environment category. Texas’ eighth-place showing was based on a score of 59.23.
“The best states for jobs make it easier for residents to find and retain jobs, and employers in these states also offer very competitive compensation and benefits,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “In addition, the top states are great places for people looking to raise a family, ranking among the best states for working parents.”
Data released in late October shows Texas led all states for job growth during the 12-month period that ended in September. In that time, Texas added 154,300 jobs at an annual rate of 1.1 percent.
“Texas is America’s jobs leader,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press release. “Businesses big and small invest with confidence in Texas and in our growing and skilled workforce. That means bigger paychecks for more Texans and more opportunities for Texas families to prosper for years to come.”
Abbott noted Texas reigns as the top state for attracting job-producing businesses and creating jobs at small businesses.
The Houston metro area actually saw a decline in new jobs in September, losing 7,300 jobs compared with the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, the region added 13,500 jobs, with professional and business services, construction, and private education and health services leading the growth.
