Texas Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

Top 100 Jobs Relatively More Common in Texas Than Elsewhere

Whether you're looking for a career to pursue, or just want to get a feel for occupations in the state, the table below should be helpful. And we haven't seen anything like it from anyone else.

This table tells us which jobs are more common in Texas, relative to the state population, compared to their popularity in every other US state. A Local Popularity Index of 1.0 matches the average across all US states; higher and lower numbers indicate the job is proportionally more or less popular here.

Rank	Job	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Jobs 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators	$24,980	240	13.1
2	Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators	$37,135	670	11.1
3	Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining	$35,460	4,560	9.1
4	Petroleum engineers	$97,250	6,470	8.8
5	Roustabouts, oil and gas	$25,531	9,360	8.2
6	Extraction workers	$35,410	1,030	8.2
7	Geological and petroleum technicians	$44,615	2,860	8.0
8	Rotary drill operators, oil and gas	$40,668	2,930	7.4
9	Derrick operators, oil and gas	$35,630	2,150	7.0
10	Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers	$48,295	11,220	7.0
11	Animal scientists	$44,815	100	6.9
12	Helpers--extraction workers	$24,780	3,150	5.7
13	Gas plant operators	$48,900	460	5.7
14	Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers	$88,355	860	5.1
15	Entertainment attendants and related workers	$16,242	4,760	5.0
16	Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers	$45,910	1,000	4.6
17	Chemical plant and system operators	$53,004	9,420	4.6
18	Anesthesiologists	$175,480	2,360	4.5
19	Marine engineers and naval architects	$82,750	1,030	4.4
20	Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers	$83,868	6,620	4.3
21	Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers	$44,090	450	3.8
22	Semiconductor processors	$31,595	5,560	3.8
23	Patternmakers, metal and plastic	$24,295	360	3.7
24	Craft artists	$23,770	160	3.5
25	Musical instrument repairers and tuners	$30,140	290	3.2
26	Insulation workers, mechanical	$32,176	1,550	3.1
27	Reinforcing iron and rebar workers	$25,542	3,130	2.9
28	Counselors	$48,238	2,780	2.9
29	Shoe and leather workers and repairers	$20,470	440	2.9
30	Personal and home care aides	$13,398	91,290	2.9
31	Rail car repairers	$34,700	580	2.8
32	Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door	$36,422	3,420	2.8
33	Athletes and sports competitors	$51,770	1,020	2.6
34	Transportation inspectors	$47,874	2,040	2.5
35	Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders	$21,855	3,350	2.4
36	Audio-visual collections specialists	$38,768	580	2.3
37	Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	$21,648	9,540	2.3
38	Chemical engineers	$80,781	3,240	2.3
39	Chemical equipment operators and tenders	$41,340	4,690	2.3
40	Lay-out workers, metal and plastic	$28,797	660	2.2
41	Airfield operations specialists	$41,750	230	2.1
42	Health diagnosing and treating practitioners	$110,623	5,420	2.0
43	Ophthalmic laboratory technicians	$24,495	2,110	2.0
44	Respiratory therapy technicians	$36,820	1,810	2.0
45	Boilermakers	$41,315	1,080	2.0
46	Civil engineering technicians	$33,657	11,020	2.0
47	Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment	$39,836	500	2.0
48	Materials scientists	$83,163	340	2.0
49	Environmental science and protection technicians, including health	$36,940	3,140	2.0
50	Engineering teachers, postsecondary	$91,056	1,290	2.0
51	Aircraft mechanics and service technicians	$44,766	10,280	1.9
52	Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics	$28,592	1,320	1.9
53	Helpers--electricians	$21,330	9,500	1.9
54	Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers	$35,097	5,730	1.9
55	Set and exhibit designers	$41,710	590	1.9
56	Bookbinders	$42,940	150	1.9
57	Interpreters and translators	$39,073	2,820	1.9
58	Occupational health and safety technicians	$46,215	510	1.8
59	Teachers and instructors	$19,859	48,960	1.8
60	Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders	$29,588	1,250	1.8
61	Materials engineers	$70,470	1,500	1.8
62	Funeral directors	$42,500	1,150	1.8
63	Vocational education teachers, middle school	$45,081	790	1.8
64	First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers	$39,141	1,810	1.7
65	Industrial engineering technicians	$49,645	6,190	1.7
66	Electro-mechanical technicians	$47,008	1,010	1.7
67	Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders	$20,333	1,380	1.7
68	Structural iron and steel workers	$29,666	5,890	1.7
69	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	$28,077	33,200	1.7
70	Cargo and freight agents	$34,206	6,640	1.7
71	Vocational education teachers, secondary school	$43,768	6,330	1.7
72	Public address system and other announcers	$26,854	530	1.6
73	Fiberglass laminators and fabricators	$23,685	1,210	1.6
74	Ship engineers	$48,490	700	1.6
75	Conveyor operators and tenders	$24,001	2,550	1.6
76	Private detectives and investigators	$35,295	1,710	1.6
77	Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers	$29,218	2,340	1.6
78	Loan counselors	$33,224	1,990	1.6
79	Structural metal fabricators and fitters	$27,486	7,950	1.6
80	Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall	$28,850	2,060	1.6
81	Bicycle repairers	$21,580	150	1.6
82	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	$40,832	55,640	1.6
83	Power plant operators	$50,392	1,290	1.6
84	Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers	$28,280	430	1.6
85	Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers	$33,432	990	1.6
86	Mechanical drafters	$42,306	6,640	1.6
87	Meter readers, utilities	$25,540	2,850	1.6
88	Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators	$27,128	4,490	1.6
89	Pediatricians, general	$138,430	1,630	1.6
90	Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping	$24,164	6,610	1.6
91	Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	$85,066	4,510	1.6
92	Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials	$15,415	7,090	1.6
93	Correctional officers and jailers	$29,720	22,550	1.5
94	Crane and tower operators	$32,403	3,300	1.5
95	Tank car, truck, and ship loaders	$38,133	700	1.5
96	Logisticians	$59,003	4,630	1.5
97	Interviewers, except eligibility and loan	$26,828	18,210	1.5
98	Pile-driver operators	$37,360	170	1.5
99	Dancers	(varies)	800	1.5
100	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	$13,707	220,230	1.5

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

The Most Common Jobs in Texas

Unlike the table above, which shows where jobs in Texas are unusually common compared to other states, the table below lists jobs which are the most common in raw numbers in the state.

Rank	Job	Local Jobs 2006	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Retail salespersons	304,980	$20,574	1.1
2	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	220,230	$13,707	1.5
3	Cashiers	219,920	$15,508	1.0
4	Office clerks, general	164,960	$20,089	0.8
5	Customer service representatives	161,680	$23,957	1.1
6	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	161,070	$18,601	1.1
7	Waiters and waitresses	144,240	$13,666	1.0
8	General and operations managers	143,020	$80,748	1.3
9	Registered nurses	135,920	$52,178	0.9
10	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	135,500	$22,913	1.2
11	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	126,600	$16,900	0.9
12	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	124,620	$31,868	1.3
13	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	114,480	$26,133	1.0
14	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	104,630	$30,507	1.1
15	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	104,520	$39,336	1.1
16	Elementary school teachers, except special education	100,750	$40,590	1.2
17	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	94,850	$45,700	1.0
18	Personal and home care aides	91,290	$13,398	2.9
19	Stock clerks and order fillers	90,250	$20,129	0.8
20	Construction laborers	87,860	$19,317	1.4
21	Maintenance and repair workers, general	87,060	$25,387	1.1
22	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	82,700	$34,853	1.2
23	Receptionists and information clerks	74,380	$19,242	1.0
24	Accountants and auditors	73,580	$51,496	1.0
25	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	72,810	$18,658	0.9
26	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	67,450	$42,567	1.2
27	Teacher assistants	67,050	$16,488	0.9
28	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	65,930	$23,305	1.4
29	Security guards	64,990	$20,374	0.9
30	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	62,240	$24,362	1.0
31	Maids and housekeeping cleaners	59,530	$14,472	1.1
32	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	55,640	$40,832	1.6
33	Business operations specialists	54,540	$53,156	0.9
34	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	53,080	$33,212	1.2
35	Team assemblers	51,440	$22,448	0.7
36	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	51,390	$18,161	0.9
37	Cooks, restaurant	50,850	$17,194	1.0
38	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	49,620	$22,812	1.0
39	Teachers and instructors	48,960	$19,859	1.8
40	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	46,710	$45,979	1.1
41	Police and sheriff's patrol officers	41,840	$39,850	1.3
42	Industrial truck and tractor operators	39,080	$23,890	1.0
43	Computer systems analysts	38,960	$61,088	1.1
44	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	38,360	$30,902	0.9
45	Electricians	38,040	$36,250	1.0
46	Home health aides	37,200	$15,520	0.9
47	Packers and packagers, hand	36,790	$17,277	0.7
48	Tellers	36,290	$19,857	1.0
49	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	34,600	$45,108	1.0
50	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	34,420	$47,741	1.2
51	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	34,120	$24,251	1.0
52	Lawyers	33,430	$97,143	0.9
53	Computer support specialists	33,400	$36,478	1.0
54	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	33,200	$28,077	1.7
55	Bill and account collectors	32,670	$24,978	1.1
56	Medical assistants	32,550	$21,286	1.3
57	Carpenters	31,450	$27,930	0.5
58	Child care workers	30,740	$14,151	0.9
59	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	30,550	$31,478	1.0
60	Counter and rental clerks	30,420	$21,266	1.0
61	Food preparation workers	29,780	$15,270	0.5
62	Computer programmers	29,430	$59,886	1.1
63	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	28,440	$13,420	1.1
64	Management analysts	27,840	$57,663	0.9
65	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	27,400	$16,918	1.3
66	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	26,930	$14,088	0.8
67	Sales representatives, services	26,770	$45,209	0.9
68	Financial managers	26,590	$75,994	0.8
69	First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	26,170	$57,719	1.3
70	Dishwashers	26,140	$13,540	0.8
71	Bus drivers, school	25,580	$19,089	1.0
72	Driver/sales workers	25,410	$20,586	1.0
73	Computer software engineers, applications	24,930	$70,735	0.8
74	Machinists	23,990	$30,965	1.1
75	Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	23,530	$27,849	1.1
76	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	23,300	$33,248	0.8
77	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	23,150	$17,421	1.1
78	Cooks, fast food	22,780	$14,235	0.6
79	Correctional officers and jailers	22,550	$29,720	1.5
80	Helpers--production workers	22,510	$18,295	0.8
81	Preschool teachers, except special education	22,210	$22,161	1.0
82	Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	22,180	$20,416	0.9
83	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	21,840	$57,361	0.9
84	Administrative services managers	21,460	$63,772	1.3
85	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	20,970	$13,612	0.9
86	Bartenders	20,900	$14,628	0.7
87	Data entry keyers	20,630	$21,828	1.0
88	Sales managers	20,110	$80,614	0.9
89	Parts salespersons	19,990	$26,265	1.4
90	Network and computer systems administrators	19,690	$51,296	1.0
91	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	19,570	$20,938	0.9
92	Pharmacy technicians	19,430	$25,211	1.1
93	Postal service mail carriers	19,410	$44,366	0.9
94	Production, planning, and expediting clerks	19,040	$35,250	1.0
95	Interviewers, except eligibility and loan	18,210	$26,828	1.5
96	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers	18,140	$32,067	1.2
97	Telemarketers	18,000	$20,463	0.8
98	All other information and record clerks	17,880	$30,189	0.9
99	Construction managers	17,440	$57,639	1.3
100	Industrial machinery mechanics	17,250	$36,412	1.3

State employment statistics and analysis are © Copyright 2004-2008 Moving Traffic, Inc, owner of CityTownInfo.com. They offer extensive career descriptions and career education info and career-oriented school search resources.

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Texas Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

Career Schools in Texas

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Helping Employers connect with the over-50 Talent Pool.

Texas Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

Career Schools in Texas

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