DALLAS—Texas ranked among the top states in personal income growth early this year, thanks largely to hiring and strong wages in the oil and gas business.

Personal income in Texas rose 1.4 percent in the first three months of the year, compared to the national average of 1.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said Thursday.

That was good enough to place Texas sixth among all states. Several saw personal income fall from late 2007 into early 2008.

Unemployment is also lower in Texas—4.1 percent in April, compared to 5 percent nationally. May numbers for Texas are due out Friday.

Bureau of Economic Analysis researchers said mining, which includes oil and gas exploration and production, was the strongest of 24 industries that it tracks. It’s a small sector—fewer than 1 million workers.