Texas is booming in 2025.
The state is projected to sustain a robust economic growth trajectory similar to its 3.9% expansion in 2024.
This already surpasses the national average.
Although job growth may ease slightly due to reduced in-migration and limited labor supply, the state’s economic outlook remains firmly grounded.
Cranes dot the skylines in Houston and Dallas.
Warehouses and hospitals are operating around the clock.
Restaurants and construction sites are desperate for help.
Despite the flurry of activity, one problem keeps coming up.
There are not enough workers to keep up with the state’s growth.
This widespread labor shortage is creating both frustration and opportunity.
For foreign workers seeking a long-term solution through the EB-3 visa program, Texas may offer one of the best chances to build a future in the United States.
Current State of the Labor Market
Texas has added over 700,000 new jobs in the past two years.
It is now the fastest-growing state in the nation in terms of employment.
The number of available workers has not kept pace even though job creation has surged.
Texas reached a new peak in total nonfarm employment, adding 26,500 jobs in March, as reported by Texas Border Business.
In April 2025, the state’s unemployment rate stood at approximately 4.2%, marking a 0.3 percentage point increase compared to last year.
That is a job opening rate of 6.2%, significantly above the national average.
In sectors like manufacturing and healthcare, the job opening rate is even higher.
Houston alone reported over 120,000 open jobs in February 2025.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has seen swift growth in both the information technology and health care sectors.
This upward trend is expected to continue over the next decade with the region projected to require an additional 130,000 skilled workers to avoid labor shortages that could hinder economic progress.
Cities like San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and McAllen also posted five-figure job openings.
Texas’s unemployment rate, on the other hand, sits at a stable 4.1%.
This means most people who want to work are already working.
The remaining population is either not looking for work or cannot meet the requirements of available jobs.
Employers have work to offer but they cannot find people to do it.
Industries Most Affected
Five sectors are facing especially urgent staffing problems while labor shortages exist across many industries.
These sectors also happen to be a great fit for EB-3 visa applicants looking for entry-level, full-time roles that do not require advanced education or specialized training.
1. Construction
Texas continues to be one of the top states for population growth.
With hundreds of thousands of people relocating every year, there is intense pressure to build more homes, apartments, roads, and infrastructure.
In Austin, dozens of apartment and highway projects have been delayed due to a lack of workers.
Employers are offering overtime pay, signing bonuses, and even relocation incentives.
Laborers, concrete finishers, roofing assistants, and framing helpers are in especially high demand.
2. Manufacturing
Texas manufacturing output has hit record highs in 2025, fueled by strong demand in food processing, electronics, and auto parts.
Yet the sector faces a consistent shortage of over 60,000 workers according to the National Association of Manufacturers.
Positions include assembly line operators, quality control assistants, forklift drivers and packaging technicians.
Factories near Houston and San Antonio have had to reduce production due to workforce constraints.
These jobs offer reliable schedules, training, and long-term employment that are ideal for EB-3 applicants.
3. Healthcare Support
While many think of healthcare shortages as a shortage of doctors and nurses, the crisis runs deeper.
Texas healthcare employers are struggling to fill roles such as nursing assistants, janitorial workers, laundry staff, patient transporters and kitchen aides.
The Texas Health Care Association reported in March 2025 that 38% of long-term care facilities were operating below safe staffing levels.
In rural areas, the situation is worse—some clinics cannot open all their rooms due to a lack of support staff.
These jobs often offer training, stable hours, and employer sponsorship for permanent residents.
4. Food Services and Hospitality
Restaurants, fast food chains, hotels, and food processors are all feeling the squeeze.
The Texas Restaurant Association reports that nearly 82,000 hospitality roles are currently open statewide.
Even large brands like Marriott, McDonald’s, and Sysco have launched aggressive hiring campaigns in cities like Corpus Christi and Laredo.
They are seeking kitchen staff, cleaners, delivery helpers, and warehouse associates.
These roles are often full-time and can lead to advancement over time.
5. Transportation and Warehousing
Driven by growth in e-commerce and retail distribution, Texas’s warehousing sector is exploding.
But with growth comes growing pains.
These include order packers, inventory workers, forklift operators and delivery loading assistants.
Major employers like Amazon, H-E-B, and Home Depot report they are constantly hiring in the Houston and Dallas metros.
Underlying Causes
The 2025 labor shortage in Texas is not caused by just one factor.
It is the result of several long-term trends that are now overlapping.
Understanding these helps explain why the demand for EB-3 workers is so high.
1. Population Growth Without Proportional Workforce Growth
Texas gained approximately 473,000 residents in 2024.
It is now home to more than 30 million people.
Much of this growth is from retirees, young families and non-working dependents.
The growth of the actual workforce has lagged.
This imbalance is especially noticeable in cities like Frisco, Midland, and Pflugerville, where housing is expanding faster than employment.
2. Low Labor Participation
Despite job availability, many working-age Texans are not seeking jobs.
This includes caregivers, students, early retirees, and others who have dropped out of the labor force.
Post-pandemic shifts in work preferences have made people more selective about job conditions.
Employers offering in-person, physical jobs are seeing the biggest gaps.
3. High Turnover in Physical and Manual Roles
Jobs that involve standing, lifting, or working evenings like restaurant, warehouse, and construction jobs tend to have high turnover.
Many local workers see them as temporary, leaving within a few months.
Employers say it is hard to build a reliable workforce under these conditions.
Foreign workers sponsored through EB-3 tend to stay longer and take the work seriously.
4. Aging Workforce in Key Sectors
Many manufacturing and healthcare jobs are filled by older workers nearing retirement.
The average age of a healthcare aide in Texas is now over 52.
As these workers retire, employers need a new generation of reliable staff.
5. Limited Immigration in Recent Years
Due to past policy restrictions and pandemic-related slowdowns, immigration into Texas slowed dramatically between 2020 and 2022.
This disrupted the traditional flow of workers that many industries relied on.
Business leaders and chambers of commerce are calling for more legal immigration pathways to help restore balance.
Opportunities for EB-3 Applicants
This environment presents a rare and valuable opportunity.
Employers are showing strong interest in sponsoring EB-3 applicants.
Why Texas Is Attractive for EB-3 Workers
Thousands of open jobs in industries that qualify for EB-3 sponsorship
Willing employers in both major cities and rural communities
Lower cost of living compared to coastal states
Strong immigrant communities and support networks
Fast job placement due to immediate hiring needs
You do not need a college degree.
You do not need work experience in the U.S.
What you do need is a willingness to work, learn, and stay committed.
Visit the EB-3 Jobs List to explore open positions with active employers in Texas.
Steps for EB-3 Applicants
1. Understand Your Eligibility
The EB-3 “other workers” category is designed for people filling full-time, non-seasonal jobs that require less than two years of experience.
If you meet basic health, background, and visa requirements, you likely qualify.
Review this guide: How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for the EB-3 Program?
2. Learn About the Timeline
From job offer to green card approval, the process takes 12–24 months.
It involves several stages, including PERM labor certification, I-140 petition, and visa or adjustment of status.
For full details: How Long Does the EB-3 Visa Process Take?
Final Thoughts
Texas is open for business and workers who want to be part of something bigger.
The labor shortage in 2025 is more than just a challenge.
It is a call for help from employers who are ready to sponsor, train and welcome new workers.
If you have been searching for a way to live and work legally in the U.S., this may be your chance.
Start your journey today.
Explore Texas-based job opportunities, check your eligibility, and take the first steps toward permanent residency through the EB-3 program.
Thousands of employers are waiting.
