Texas’ Federal Workers Strengthen Our Communities and State Economy
DOGE’s Slashing of the Federal Workforce Will Cost Texans
From Amarillo to Harlingen, Texans value our freedom and families. No matter where we come from, Texans take action when our jobs and families’ livelihoods are under attack. Illegal firings initiated by Elon Musk and the Trump administration are targeting the federal employees who serve our veterans, seniors, farmers, and businesses. These Texans keep our food, water, airlines, and national parks safe. Texas federal workers carry out critical emergency response, execute urgent disaster relief, and protect our national security.
Federal employees and their families are also neighbors who live, work, and send their children to schools across Texas; These firings are making an impact in every single Texas community.
Who are Texas federal employees?
- Texas is home to more than 249,000 federal employees – approximately 8% of all federal workers. The federal workforce consists of roughly 3 million employees, the vast majority of whom (98%) live in the states.
- The federal government is a larger employer in Texas than in Virginia.
- The Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area has the largest number of federal workers at 57,790.
- Val Verde County has the highest share of federal workers at 11.6% . (See the charts below for the number and share of Texans employed by the federal government for each Texas county and metropolitan area).
- Nearly all federal agencies are represented in Texas. Veteran Affairs represents approximately one-third of all federal employees living in Texas with 37,000+ employees.
Approximately 12,285 Texans are employed by large and small non-cabinet level federal agencies, including:
- Environmental Protection Agency: 840
- Federal Communications Commission: 840
- National Archives and Record Administration: 3,145
- Securities and Exchange Commission: 1,761
- Social Security Administration: 3,291
Shrinking the federal workforce means cutting Texas jobs, services, and specialized expertise – all of which are very difficult to replace. Federal employees carry out agency missions that underpin our entire economy and do jobs that often require specific experience or training. On average, federal employees have more experience and education than the workforce at large.
- More than 42% of federal workers are older than 50, compared to 33% of the overall workforce.
- Nearly 50% of federal employees have been in public service for more than a decade.
For example, the Veterans Health Administration under the Department of Veteran Affairs serves communities across our state in Amarillo, Big Spring, El Paso, Harlingen, Temple, and more.
Did you know?
- Texas is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, the largest veteran population in the United States.
- Texas has approximately 7 veteran health care systems, 5 medical centers, and 58 outpatient clinics.
Cutting federal employees means job loss for large numbers of veterans, women, workers with disabilities, workers of color, and union members.
Due to strong equal employment policies, union contracts guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, and programs to recruit those who’ve completed military service, the federal workforce is reflective of the American people and all Texans.
- Nationally, 30% of federal workers are veterans, compared to only 5% of the overall workforce; In Texas, 74,500 veterans are employed by a federal agency.
- 21% of federal workers self-identify as disabled, compared to the overall U.S. disability rate of 5%.
Rural Counties Have the Highest Shares of Federal Workers.
Texas’ rural communities could face economic insecurity due to their high shares of federal workers compared to the total workforce. The top 10 counties with the highest share of federal employees are predominantly rural counties.
Texas federal workers are standing up against illegal, unconstitutional attacks on our communities and livelihoods. Right now, Texas federal workers and their unions are defending their obligation to the public and the U.S. Constitution as they challenge illegal firings, funding freezes, and fight to preserve their right to collectively negotiate pay and working conditions – all while maintaining the vital services we rely on.
How Many Federal Employees Live in Your Congressional District?
Take Action Now!
- Call your US Congress member. Communicate your opposition to DOGE’s illegal firings and gutting of federal employment that negatively impacts Texans and our communities.
- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) regularly posts ways to take action here.