The Tulsa World reports that “workers in the oil and gas sector are enjoying a favorable employment market as the energy boom continues.”

“More companies are planning to increase hiring of energy industry professionals during the first half of 2014, according to a semi-annual survey by Rigzone, an oil and gas industry journal. Some 53 percent of hiring managers say they plan to add jobs on the professional side, compared to 48 percent six months ago.”

“‘It’s a candidate-driven market for oil and gas technical professionals, so we’re bringing in people from out of state for jobs here,’ said Amy Alonso, manager of JKP Staffing & Search and a Tulsa-based specialist in placing energy sector employees.”

“Nationally, the energy production sector added about 10,200 jobs during 2013, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry’s 5 percent job growth, boosting the total production workforce to 201,900, made energy one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country. In the last decade, energy industry jobs have increased about 70 percent.”