OFS March Jobs Report Shows Modest Rebound in Energy Services Employment
Oklahoma was among several energy states that saw a rebound in the number of those employed in the energy industry in March.
The Energy Workforce & Technology Council based in Houston announced there was a nationwide gain of 1,877 positions for a total of 627,018 jobs in the month of March.
The Council’s listing of energy states showed Oklahoma gained 134 jobs since January when the state’s total was 47,582. It increased to 47,716 as of March 2026. The gains in Oklahoma and the U.S. were based on preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Energy Workforce analysis.
Despite the gain in March, the employment numbers below last year. The data for January 2026 showed Oklahoma’s energy employment totaled 47,582 compared to 47,895 in December of 2025. The loss of 313 jobs is a continuing movement in the state’s energy sector. In January of 2025, the employment in the Oklahoma sector was 49,546 and it had fallen to 47,795 by August 2025.
March’s gains reflect a measured increase in activity across the sector, as companies continue to operate with discipline while responding to improving market conditions.
At the national level, the U.S. labor market also strengthened. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs in March, significantly exceeding expectations following a weaker February. The rebound signals renewed momentum across the broader economy.
“March’s job gains are a positive sign, but they come in a still-volatile environment,” said Energy Workforce President Molly Determan. “Service companies are responding carefully, balancing near-term opportunities with ongoing uncertainty in global markets and policy. That discipline is shaping how and when companies add to their workforce.”
Determan noted that workforce trends remain closely tied to policy clarity and global market conditions.
“Energy services companies are responding to a dynamic environment shaped by policy decisions, global demand, and geopolitical developments,” she said. “As always, U.S. production plays a critical role in providing stable, reliable energy for our country and for our friends and allies abroad, and the workforce behind it is essential to delivering that strength.”
Energy Workforce will continue monitoring employment trends and advocating for policies that support competitiveness, stability, and long-term workforce growth across the U.S. energy services sector.
State-by-State-Breakdown
|
State
|
2026
|
|
TX
|
305,546
|
|
LA
|
52,356
|
|
OK
|
47,716
|
|
CO
|
25,457
|
|
NM
|
23,450
|
|
CA
|
22,949
|
|
PA
|
22,698
|
|
ND
|
19,500
|
|
WY
|
14,547
|
|
OH
|
10,408
|
|
AK
|
9,719
|
|
WV
|
9,593
|