June 4, 2014
(http://governor.state.tx.us/news/noteworthy/19758/)
Nearly a third of all the jobs created in America over the last 10 years have been created in Texas. That’s a tough fact to deal with for those who argue against the fiscally conservative policies that have powered our growth over that span. Since they can’t argue with the quantity of jobs created, they try to take shots at the quality of the jobs created.
One problem: They’re wrong about that, too.
Not only have Texas businesses created more jobs than any other state, among the 10 largest states, Texans’ wages have grown fastest since 2001.
More specifically, the average Texan working in the private sector in 2013 is making upwards of 42 percent more than their 2001 counterpart. That year, Texas was no better than middle of the pack among the largest states in terms of average wages; in 2013 we were in the top three among largest states.
We’ve climbed steadily, too, even during tough economic times. From 2009-2013, Texas paced the big states in wage gains – nearly 14 percent – during a time when the country as a whole was battling to rebound from economic disaster.
None of that even takes into account Texas’ cost of living, which is much lower than other big states like California and New York. Nowhere is that more clear than in the cost of housing: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010-2012, the median prices of a home in California was more than $358,000; in New York, more than $286,000; and in Texas, just $128,400.
In other words, not only are our wages growing faster than these other states, every additional dollar you earn in Texas will go further than dollars you might earn elsewhere.
And, again, Texas leads in the creation of all types of jobs. According to the Dallas Fed, Texas led the rest of the United States in growth among highest-wage earners (36 percent vs. 13 percent), and upper-middle wage earners (28 percent vs. 0 percent nationally). Those growth rates are each higher than among lower-middle and lowest wage segments.
That same data shows that without Texas, the United States would have posted a net loss of middle-wage jobs (upper-middle and lower-middle) from 2000-2013.
It should be noted that jobs of all pay levels are part of the Texas success story, from the entry-level clerk taking a first job out of college, to the truck driver working up at Eagle Ford. While people elsewhere might have to move to another state to find quality starter jobs, they might have to move again when it’s time to find a better mid-range job. Should they look to move up again, they might require additional interstate moves.
In Texas, you can start your career with a variety of good job opportunities, and have more opportunities at hand on each step up the career ladder.
All of that amounts to good news for Texans, working to make their dreams and aspirations come true.
