{"schema_version": 1, "id": "odessa-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 367, "label": "Odessa, TX MSA", "slug": "odessa-tx-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:59:07.687475+00:00", "headline": "Odessa's labor market stays tight as trades wages pull ahead", "headline_summary": "Odessa's 3.7% unemployment rate undercuts the statewide 4.4% even as HVAC pay climbs to $88,400 and CDL driver pay falls to $69,770, signaling uneven pressure beneath a tight headline number.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Odessa unemployment rate", "value": "3.7%", "context": "vs 4.4% Texas, 4.1% national (Sept. 2026)"}, {"label": "Odessa annual job growth", "value": "+1.4%", "context": "+1,200 jobs/yr, despite -300 monthly dip"}, {"label": "Texas labor force growth", "value": "+3,600", "context": "net new participants over 12 months statewide"}, {"label": "Odessa average wage", "value": "$25.57/hr", "context": "$53,180 annualized, Aug. 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Odessa's labor market is tighter than the state it sits in.", "body": "September's 3.7% unemployment rate compares to 4.4% statewide and 4.1% nationally, placing Odessa 6th among 27 Texas metros. A persistently low rate in a metro of under 90,000 labor force participants signals limited slack for employers or investors counting on readily available local labor."}, {"headline": "Trades wages are pulling away from office and transport roles.", "body": "HVAC technician pay rose significantly to $88,400 and construction laborer pay rose significantly to $42,640, both outpacing comparable national medians, while CDL truck driver pay fell significantly to $69,770 and administrative assistant pay fell moderately to $39,520. Divergence this sharp points to uneven demand pressure across the local economy and a wage cycle that is playing out unevenly by sector."}, {"headline": "Annual job growth masks a monthly pullback worth tracking.", "body": "Odessa added 1,200 jobs over the past year (+1.4%) but shed 300 in the latest month (-0.4%), a pattern that could reflect routine volatility in an energy-exposed metro or an early inflection point. One month of softening doesn't establish a trend, but it warrants watching alongside statewide deceleration in Texas job growth."}, {"headline": "Healthcare and education wages are rising faster than the broader basket.", "body": "Registered nurse pay rose significantly to $105,320 locally and elementary/secondary teacher pay rose significantly to $63,500, both outpacing their national medians. Strength concentrated in public-sector-adjacent and healthcare roles is consistent with the stability typically associated with institutional employers in smaller metros, offering a steadier anchor than energy-cyclical sectors."}], "local_conditions": "Odessa's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate held at 3.7% in September, tighter than the statewide 4.4% and consistent with a labor market still anchored by oil and gas activity and a metro labor force under 90,000 workers. Monthly payrolls dipped 0.4% (-300 jobs) even as the metro posted 1.4% annual job growth, a pattern consistent with seasonal volatility in energy-adjacent sectors layered on top of a structurally tight local labor supply.", "implications": "Odessa's unemployment rate sitting a full percentage point below the state average signals a local economy still running near capacity, which has implications for commerce leaders weighing expansion timing and for economic development officials assessing site-selection pitches built on labor availability. Advertised pay data show divergence by sector -- HVAC technicians up significantly to $88,400 and construction laborers up to $42,640, against declines in CDL truck driver pay (-significant, to $69,770) and customer service pay (-significant, to $35,360) -- suggesting capacity constraints are concentrated in trades and construction, with less pressure evident metro-wide. Commerce leaders and economic development officials should consider framing the metro's growth pitch around sector-specific capacity (trades, energy-adjacent construction), since the data no longer support broad labor availability claims evenly across industries.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Worth watching", "body": "September's 300-job monthly decline follows a national and state pattern of deceleration -- Texas itself shed 11,100 jobs the same month. Watch whether Odessa's October data shows a continuation or a rebound, which will help distinguish normal energy-sector volatility from a broader slowdown."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Texas labor force growth has nearly stalled statewide, adding just 3,600 net participants over the past year. Odessa's labor force sits under 90,000; any further participation softening would tighten an already low-unemployment metro further and matters directly for economic development officials pitching site locations on workforce depth."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "Wage declines in CDL trucking (-significant) and customer service (-significant) locally diverge from stable-to-rising national trends in those same roles. Continued softening would be worth flagging as a local-specific signal distinct from national conditions, since Odessa may be diverging from the national pattern."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Dallas Fed's October manufacturing employment index slowed to 11.6 from 15.1, even as Texas manufacturing added jobs statewide. Odessa's energy-adjacent construction and manufacturing wage strength (construction laborer +significant, manufacturing production worker stable) should be watched against this statewide deceleration signal."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23655.0, "metro_p50": 30160.0, "metro_p75": 34320.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 20954.0, "metro_p50": 25366.6, "metro_p75": 27873.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30462.0, "metro_p50": 37483.0, "metro_p75": 41080.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 50842.0, "metro_p50": 69770.0, "metro_p75": 83200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28793.0, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 41538.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33280.0, "metro_p50": 42640.0, "metro_p75": 42640.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56875.0, "metro_p50": 72800.0, "metro_p75": 78301.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33280.0, "metro_p50": 45760.0, "metro_p75": 52000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31200.0, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 42640.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30160.0, "metro_p50": 31200.0, "metro_p75": 31200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29120.0, "metro_p50": 34220.0, "metro_p75": 37440.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32419.0, "metro_p50": 39520.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 61593.5, "metro_p50": 88400.0, "metro_p75": 88400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 84048.0, "metro_p50": 105320.0, "metro_p75": 112882.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 120303.0, "metro_p50": 153963.0, "metro_p75": 170473.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 96260.0, "metro_p50": 124713.0, "metro_p75": 158284.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56363.25, "metro_p50": 65012.0, "metro_p75": 69201.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 64736.5, "metro_p50": 66683.0, "metro_p75": 71993.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 49039.0, "metro_p50": 64700.0, "metro_p75": 71179.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 46800.0, "metro_p50": 61150.0, "metro_p75": 72500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 70000.0, "metro_p50": 82583.0, "metro_p75": 98295.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 46950.0, "metro_p50": 63500.0, "metro_p75": 67298.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 61939.25, "metro_p50": 75385.8, "metro_p75": 91501.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 48368.0, "metro_p50": 70872.6, "metro_p75": 85260.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 79461.0, "metro_p50": 96918.0, "metro_p75": 109288.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 62426.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 56000.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 36595.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 55674.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 50674.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 53220.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 57662.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 93767.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 25027.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 63013.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "odessa-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "odessa-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "odessa-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:27:28.618221+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/odessa-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/odessa-tx-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}