RGV job growth stays ahead of Texas and U.S., new data show

Key takeaways

• The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro added 13,679 jobs through November 2025, an increase of 1.9% year-over-year. 
• The Brownsville-Harlingen metro added 8,386 jobs through November 2025, an increase of 1.9% year-over-year. 
• Job growth in the McAllen metro was driven by private education and health services, while government hiring accounted for a significant share of gains in the Brownsville metro.

The Rio Grande Valley’s two largest metro areas added more jobs through November compared to the previous year, new Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows.

The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro had 310,000 nonfarm jobs in November, up from 304,100 in November 2024. That’s a gain of 5,900 jobs, or a 1.9% increase over the year. 

The Brownsville-Harlingen metro recorded 167,800 nonfarm jobs in November, up from 164,600 in November 2024. That’s an increase of 3,200 jobs, or 1.9% year over year. 

By comparison, Texas added 146,300 jobs through November, a 1% increase. U.S. job growth rose by 0.6% in November. 

Industries driving job growth

Private education and health services remain the largest industry in both metros — accounting for roughly one-third of all jobs in each market. The category includes private charter school staff, most hospital jobs — such as nurses or home health aides — and similar roles.

Based on how the data is categorized, public school teachers fall under local government jobs. 

The McAllen metro’s biggest gains were in private education and health services, which added 4,800 jobs in November 2025.

The biggest decline was in local government, which contracted by 700 jobs in November 2025.

Trade, transportation, and utilities added 600 jobs over the year. 

In the Brownsville metro area, the biggest gains were also in private education and health services, which added 1,100 jobs in November 2025. Local government added 800 jobs, and the federal government added 300 jobs. 

The most significant downturn by industry sector in Brownsville was manufacturing, which lost 100 jobs over the year. 

Trade, transportation, and utilities added 500 jobs in Brownsville over the year.