(By Bethany Blankley/The Center Square) – Texas added more jobs in 2023 than any other state in the country, according to newly released employment data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Texas added 369,600 nonfarm jobs from December 2022 to December 2023, according to the data. California added 311,600; Florida added 240,600.

Rounding out the five states adding the most jobs were Pennsylvania and Ohio, which added 111,700 and 106,400 new jobs, respectively.

“Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 30 states and was essentially unchanged in 20 states and the District of Columbia,” BLS said. While the largest job gains occurred in Texas, California and Florida, the largest percentage increase was seen in Nevada of 3.8%. Idaho and South Dakota reported the second largest percentage increase of 3% each.

“Texas truly is America’s jobs engine, adding more jobs in 2023 than any other state,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “Perhaps the greatest testament to the strength of the Texas model of expanding opportunity can be summed up in four simple words: More Texans are working. More Texans are working today than ever before in our state’s history as we lead the nation in job creation and break record after record for total employment.”

Abbott added that more Texans have jobs than 46 other states have residents, with 15.2 million people employed in December, according to the data.

Abbott credits “the diverse industries investing in Texas, our young and growing workforce, and critical investments in education, workforce development, and infrastructure” for Texas leading the U.S. in job growth.

In December, Texas once again led the U.S. in job growth and again broke three of its own job records.

Texas not only outpaced the nation in annual job growth last month, but also set new historic highs for having the greatest number of total jobs on record, the greatest number of Texans working, and the largest labor force in state history.

December marked 34 months of uninterrupted job growth in Texas.

“Texas’ record-breaking employment growth remains a clear sign of the state’s economic strength,” Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel said. “We finished 2023 with thousands more jobs in the state than at any other time in history.”

Texas’ economy also expanded faster than the national economy as a whole for four consecutive quarters.

Texas also won earned recognition for its top economic and business climate in 2023. Texas ranked first in the U.S. for having the best business climate by Site Selection Magazine and won its Governor’s Cup award for a record 11th consecutive year for having the most job-creating business relocations and expansions in the country.

Chief Executive Magazine also named Texas as the “Best State for Business” for a record-breaking 19 consecutive years. Business Facilities Magazine and Development Counsellors International both awarded Texas for having the Best Business Climate last year.

In another survey ranking counties nationwide as talent and economic powerhouses, six of the top 10 were in Texas.