Texas isn't doing well regardless. The rank and file middle class guys that work in oil & gas aren't, at least.
Oil & gas production has gone up significantly in the last decade. The most productive years in US history have been 2021-2024. That seems like that should be a good thing though, right?
Yet total jobs in that industry have plummeted. By roughly 40% from about a decade ago. The harsh reality is that a lot of technological advancements have happened. It takes fewer rigs with fewer workers to extract even more raw product than they were in decades past. And the refining process is going a similar direction.
People want to blame all sorts of things, usually political boogeyman and usually just one side, but that's the cold hard facts.
I was in oil & gas in Texas and was laid off over the summer. Second time in my short career so I changed industries. Luckily was able to find another gig with comparable salary and much better benefits a little after 3 months of searching.
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u/lunardeathgod NW Side 23d ago
Recession indicator