Highest-paying jobs in Texas
Answer
Cardiologists have the highest median pay in Texas, $410,150 a year, followed by neurologists ($360,640) and physicians, pathologists ($345,830). The median for all jobs in Texas is $48,620, 31st of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 45th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $48,620
- 31st of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $23.38
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 97.1
- Median worth $50,094 at US prices (45th)
- Jobs
- 14,071,160
- 735 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Texas, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Texas are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Texas
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologists | $410,150 | $197.19 | 2,050 | $496,010 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Neurologists | $360,640 | $173.38 | 660 | $248,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | Physicians, Pathologists | $345,830 | $166.26 | 1,530 | $312,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | Radiologists | $319,320 | $153.52 | 2,330 | $420,860 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $316,830 | $152.32 | 780 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $271,960 | $130.75 | 1,460 | $292,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 7 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $269,110 | $129.38 | 3,850 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Chief Executives | $257,850 | $123.97 | 8,780 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Nurse Anesthetists | $244,990 | $117.78 | 4,060 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 10 | Family Medicine Physicians | $235,710 | $113.32 | 6,190 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 11 | Psychiatrists | $228,460 | $109.84 | 1,690 | $281,870 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 12 | Dermatologists | $218,670 | $105.13 | 780 | $328,730 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 13 | Anesthesiologists | $215,230 | $103.48 | 2,800 | $391,490 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 14 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $215,150 | — | 10,930 | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Physicists | $184,040 | $88.48 | 580 | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 16 | Podiatrists | $175,520 | $84.38 | 500 | $160,300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 17 | Pediatricians, General | $173,360 | $83.34 | 2,740 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 18 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $171,530 | $82.46 | 73,060 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $171,370 | $82.39 | 19,030 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Air Traffic Controllers | $170,080 | $81.77 | 2,060 | $148,080 | Associate's degree |
| 21 | Financial Managers | $164,860 | $79.26 | 71,870 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Petroleum Engineers | $164,860 | $79.26 | 9,140 | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $163,860 | $78.78 | 7,390 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Dentists, General | $162,360 | $78.06 | 8,920 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 25 | Lawyers | $154,200 | $74.13 | 56,580 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Texas without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $111,000 | $53.36 | 5,540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,890 | $49.46 | 970 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Chemical Plant and System Operators | $102,750 | $49.40 | 2,360 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Power Plant Operators | $102,510 | $49.28 | 2,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $102,140 | $49.11 | 2,030 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Transportation Inspectors | $101,440 | $48.77 | 2,290 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,700 | $48.41 | 28,710 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $97,550 | $46.90 | 820 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $90,510 | $43.51 | 18,870 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $85,990 | $41.34 | 610 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Signal and Track Switch Repairers | $85,020 | $40.88 | 650 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $84,100 | $40.43 | 10,510 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $82,120 | $39.48 | 1,350 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Athletes and Sports Competitors | $80,510 | — | 1,840 | No formal educational credential |
| 15 | Gas Plant Operators | $79,910 | $38.42 | 2,550 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Texas
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 460,530 | $27,740 | $13.34 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | General and Operations Managers | 431,310 | $103,230 | $49.63 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 341,640 | $30,800 | $14.81 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Customer Service Representatives | 337,170 | $40,420 | $19.44 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 329,590 | $24,230 | $11.65 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 322,710 | $36,840 | $17.71 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Registered Nurses | 271,380 | $95,970 | $46.14 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Cashiers | 245,730 | $29,230 | $14.06 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Office Clerks, General | 218,470 | $39,000 | $18.75 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 216,970 | $37,540 | $18.05 | No formal educational credential |
| 11 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 209,680 | $56,290 | $27.06 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 12 | Waiters and Waitresses | 199,610 | $23,240 | $11.18 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 184,840 | $33,010 | $15.87 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Software Developers | 163,880 | $132,150 | $63.54 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 160,600 | $64,940 | $31.22 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 149,650 | $45,140 | $21.70 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 140,580 | $46,670 | $22.44 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Project Management Specialists | 138,960 | $98,440 | $47.33 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 137,930 | $36,480 | $17.54 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 135,030 | $61,680 | $29.65 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Texas
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellhead Pumpers | 6.3× | 10,250 | $75,860 |
| 2 | Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | 6.1× | 5,810 | $56,100 |
| 3 | Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | 6.0× | 24,430 | $45,950 |
| 4 | Petroleum Engineers | 5.6× | 9,140 | $164,860 |
| 5 | Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | 5.3× | 5,980 | $77,840 |
| 6 | Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | 4.3× | 16,820 | $49,820 |
| 7 | Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 4.3× | 3,890 | $61,950 |
| 8 | Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | 4.3× | 1,350 | $82,120 |
| 9 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | 3.5× | 10,510 | $84,100 |
| 10 | Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | 3.5× | 2,190 | $46,840 |
| 11 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | 3.4× | 5,230 | $63,330 |
| 12 | Calibration Technologists and Technicians | 3.4× | 5,020 | $74,100 |
What 139 careers pay in Texas
Click a heading to sort
| Cardiologist | $410,150 | 18 | $422,587 | $496,010 | 2,050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurologist | $360,640 | 4 | $371,575 | $248,560 | 660 |
| Pathologist | $345,830 | 7 | $356,316 | $312,400 | 1,530 |
| Radiologist | $319,320 | 24 | $329,003 | $420,860 | 2,330 |
| OB-GYN | $271,960 | 30 | $280,206 | $292,910 | 1,460 |
| CRNA | $244,990 | 25 | $252,419 | $236,590 | 4,060 |
| Psychiatrist | $228,460 | 34 | $235,387 | $281,870 | 1,690 |
| Dermatologist | $218,670 | 24 | $225,301 | $328,730 | 780 |
| Anesthesiologist | $215,230 | 24 | $221,756 | $391,490 | 2,800 |
| Airline Pilot | $215,150 | 13 | $221,674 | $232,140 | 10,930 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $200,780 | 29 | $206,868 | $358,550 | 490 |
| Pediatrician | $173,360 | 44 | $178,617 | $210,040 | 2,740 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $170,080 | 6 | $175,237 | $148,080 | 2,060 |
| Computer Engineer | $163,860 | 5 | $168,829 | $161,740 | 7,390 |
| Dentist | $162,360 | 35 | $167,283 | $170,950 | 8,920 |
| Lawyer | $154,200 | 13 | $158,876 | $159,670 | 56,580 |
| Marketing Manager | $147,880 | 21 | $152,364 | $166,790 | 44,680 |
| Judge | $139,990 | 25 | $144,235 | $153,990 | 2,770 |
| Pharmacist | $138,260 | 31 | $142,452 | $140,910 | 24,700 |
| Commercial Pilot | $137,960 | 9 | $142,143 | $123,220 | 4,120 |
| HR Manager | $136,500 | 22 | $140,639 | $149,280 | 23,220 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | 27 | $138,630 | $135,880 | 10,110 |
| Network Engineer | $133,310 | 17 | $137,352 | $134,050 | 13,650 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,750 | 6 | $136,775 | $125,040 | 2,610 |
| Software Engineer | $132,150 | 15 | $136,157 | $135,980 | 163,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,670 | 25 | $135,663 | $132,300 | 25,970 |
| Veterinarian | $131,330 | 14 | $135,312 | $130,100 | 6,270 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $130,270 | 22 | $134,220 | $134,960 | 6,750 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $129,890 | 15 | $133,829 | $129,180 | 16,130 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,450 | 6 | $133,375 | $120,630 | 20,870 |
| Optometrist | $126,000 | 37 | $129,821 | $136,570 | 4,110 |
| Nurse Midwife | $123,380 | 29 | $127,121 | $134,040 | 290 |
| Data Scientist | $122,090 | 13 | $125,792 | $120,230 | 25,860 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $114,150 | 31 | $117,611 | $123,860 | 58,420 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $112,410 | 12 | $115,819 | $104,110 | 22,080 |
| Court Reporter | $110,080 | 2 | $113,418 | $72,420 | 1,270 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,140 | 9 | $109,358 | $100,330 | 13,400 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | 8 | $109,018 | $102,760 | 21,870 |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,770 | 16 | $108,977 | $105,310 | 1,000 |
| Actuary | $105,020 | 32 | $108,204 | $130,000 | 1,750 |
| Operations Manager | $103,230 | 26 | $106,360 | $105,770 | 431,310 |
| UX Designer | $102,650 | 10 | $105,763 | $104,000 | 5,910 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $102,140 | 25 | $105,237 | $109,910 | 2,030 |
| Construction Manager | $101,470 | 42 | $104,547 | $114,990 | 59,060 |
| Business Analyst | $101,400 | 17 | $104,475 | $101,860 | 50,990 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $99,910 | 15 | $102,940 | $97,870 | 19,120 |
| Dental Hygienist | $99,240 | 17 | $102,249 | $98,100 | 16,380 |
| Financial Advisor | $99,160 | 22 | $102,167 | $105,070 | 18,200 |
| Financial Analyst | $99,150 | 23 | $102,156 | $102,740 | 28,820 |
| Project Manager | $98,440 | 26 | $101,425 | $102,320 | 138,960 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,860 | 36 | $99,797 | $100,840 | 34,870 |
| MRI Technician | $96,780 | 22 | $99,715 | $95,480 | 2,930 |
| Registered Nurse | $95,970 | 22 | $98,880 | $97,550 | 271,380 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $95,970 | 22 | $98,880 | $97,550 | 271,380 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $95,970 | 22 | $98,880 | $97,550 | 271,380 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $95,970 | 22 | $98,880 | $97,550 | 271,380 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $95,970 | 22 | $98,880 | $97,550 | 271,380 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $95,970 | 22 | $98,880 | $97,550 | 271,380 |
| Architect | $94,490 | 39 | $97,355 | $99,280 | 7,820 |
| School Principal | $93,910 | 44 | $96,758 | $105,870 | 37,140 |
| Audiologist | $93,570 | 28 | $96,407 | $95,780 | 1,020 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $92,600 | 28 | $95,408 | $109,370 | 2,050 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $92,580 | 30 | $95,387 | $96,590 | 6,960 |
| Detective | $90,510 | 25 | $93,254 | $93,790 | 18,870 |
| Chiropractor | $87,520 | 9 | $90,174 | $79,200 | 2,840 |
| Web Developer | $85,800 | 20 | $88,402 | $92,650 | 4,910 |
| Meteorologist | $84,990 | 35 | $87,567 | $99,070 | 720 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $84,440 | 12 | $87,000 | $79,870 | 16,850 |
| School Psychologist | $83,690 | 26 | $86,228 | $95,990 | 4,250 |
| Psychologist | $83,660 | 37 | $86,197 | $100,580 | 3,640 |
| Accountant | $80,920 | 20 | $83,374 | $83,680 | 116,470 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,540 | 34 | $81,952 | $82,280 | 12,130 |
| Lineman | $78,940 | 42 | $81,334 | $95,320 | 17,280 |
| Claims Adjuster | $78,800 | 18 | $81,189 | $78,000 | 29,220 |
| Radiology Technician | $78,630 | 27 | $81,014 | $80,110 | 20,250 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $78,000 | 4 | $80,365 | $68,380 | 10,510 |
| Police Officer | $75,900 | 23 | $78,201 | $76,210 | 63,100 |
| Nutritionist | $74,440 | 21 | $76,697 | $76,400 | 5,320 |
| Crane Operator | $73,280 | 19 | $75,502 | $68,080 | 6,010 |
| Librarian | $71,860 | 18 | $74,039 | $68,270 | 9,150 |
| Train Conductor | $68,980 | 21 | $71,072 | $78,000 | 4,640 |
| HR Specialist | $68,920 | 33 | $71,010 | $75,940 | 84,930 |
| TSA Officer | $68,640 | 13 | $70,721 | $66,770 | 4,300 |
| School Counselor | $67,900 | 14 | $69,959 | $64,330 | 31,730 |
| Loan Officer | $66,370 | 40 | $68,382 | $76,690 | 21,200 |
| Surgical Technician | $65,220 | 21 | $67,198 | $64,650 | 10,160 |
| Interior Designer | $65,160 | 17 | $67,136 | $67,190 | 6,450 |
| Athletic Trainer | $64,150 | 14 | $66,095 | $62,520 | 3,130 |
| High School Teacher | $63,590 | 28 | $65,518 | $72,040 | 111,660 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,760 | 27 | $64,663 | $63,970 | 116,260 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $62,630 | 14 | $64,529 | $59,350 | 21,400 |
| Paralegal | $62,310 | 23 | $64,199 | $62,890 | 29,540 |
| LPN | $62,240 | 34 | $64,127 | $64,400 | 57,560 |
| Mail Carrier | $60,550 | 16 | $62,386 | $60,550 | 26,700 |
| Firefighter | $60,180 | 17 | $62,005 | $59,280 | 28,170 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | 23 | $61,974 | $62,960 | 13,670 |
| Forensic Scientist | $59,870 | 34 | $61,685 | $72,060 | 1,900 |
| Plumber | $59,840 | 39 | $61,654 | $63,800 | 44,090 |
| IT Support Specialist | $59,490 | 29 | $61,294 | $61,860 | 72,030 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,370 | 26 | $61,170 | $58,450 | 8,630 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $59,290 | 38 | $61,088 | $62,930 | 29,530 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $58,810 | 41 | $60,593 | $61,770 | 29,870 |
| Electrician | $58,570 | 45 | $60,346 | $63,190 | 76,770 |
| Flight Attendant | $58,220 | 16 | $59,985 | $63,580 | 13,470 |
| HVAC Technician | $57,760 | 38 | $59,511 | $61,010 | 34,730 |
| Paramedic | $57,500 | 35 | $59,244 | $60,600 | 8,410 |
| Truck Driver | $56,290 | 40 | $57,997 | $58,640 | 209,680 |
| Chef | $56,080 | 41 | $57,780 | $62,470 | 13,270 |
| Welder | $53,340 | 29 | $54,957 | $53,750 | 52,000 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $53,000 | 45 | $54,607 | $74,310 | 6,140 |
| Correctional Officer | $52,670 | 32 | $54,267 | $58,940 | 44,700 |
| Private Investigator | $51,810 | 20 | $53,381 | $51,220 | 3,220 |
| Insurance Agent | $51,180 | 44 | $52,732 | $62,280 | 47,060 |
| Esthetician | $49,250 | 12 | $50,743 | $45,330 | 6,160 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $49,100 | 47 | $50,589 | $76,780 | 580 |
| Carpenter | $48,900 | 45 | $50,383 | $60,580 | 33,540 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $48,860 | 37 | $50,342 | $51,140 | 17,210 |
| Bus Driver | $48,740 | 33 | $50,218 | $59,050 | 11,600 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,310 | 37 | $49,775 | $50,620 | 69,750 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $46,970 | 24 | $48,394 | $47,700 | 4,520 |
| Mortician | $46,630 | 38 | $48,044 | $55,010 | 1,500 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $46,490 | 19 | $47,900 | $72,990 | — |
| Garbage Collector | $46,330 | 35 | $47,735 | $49,690 | 12,860 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $46,300 | 43 | $47,704 | $66,940 | 1,380 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,900 | 26 | $47,292 | $45,750 | 41,740 |
| Real Estate Agent | $45,740 | 43 | $47,127 | $52,830 | 22,250 |
| Dental Assistant | $45,430 | 41 | $46,808 | $48,070 | 33,230 |
| Personal Trainer | $40,880 | 37 | $42,120 | $47,160 | 19,260 |
| Construction Worker | $40,620 | 44 | $41,852 | $47,120 | 123,250 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,450 | 34 | $41,677 | $45,230 | 12,820 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,520 | 42 | $40,718 | $45,690 | 75,340 |
| Vet Tech | $39,410 | 43 | $40,605 | $47,380 | 16,730 |
| CNA | $37,500 | 44 | $38,637 | $42,260 | 88,680 |
| EMT | $37,260 | 42 | $38,390 | $44,470 | 12,770 |
| Nail Technician | $34,040 | 36 | $35,072 | $35,760 | 5,340 |
| Substitute Teacher | $32,040 | 39 | $33,012 | $41,670 | 29,150 |
| Barber | $30,760 | 31 | $31,693 | $38,210 | 2,580 |
| Cosmetologist | $30,680 | 41 | $31,610 | $35,790 | 22,440 |
| Bartender | $22,690 | 47 | $23,378 | $34,340 | 59,000 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.