City Town Info

Abilene Employment

Employment and Industries in the Abilene, Texas Area

Abilene is the region's financial and commercial hub. Abilene's diversified manufacturers include oil-field and agricultural equipment, metals, food and dairy products, musical instruments, electronic, aircraft and missile components; and clothing. Livestock and agriculture are notable economic components. The Dyess Air Force Base is a major employer in Abilene.

First Financial Bankshares is the largest employer in the finance sector. The top employers in the medical sector are Hendrick Health System and Abilene Regional Med., Center. Eagle Aviation Services provides jobs in the aviation maintenance sector. Lauren Engineers is a notable engineering firm.

Abilene's leading employment segments are healthcare, educational services, construction, accommodation and food services, finance and insurance and the government. Management, professional and related occupations comprise about 29% of the labor force. Approximately 23% of the workers are employed in service jobs. About 22% of the workforce is employed in sale and office occupations.

Notable information regarding Abilene, Texas: Estimated median household income in 2007: $39,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 77.7 (U.S. average: 100). Adults holding a bachelor's degree or better: 22%.

The top manufacturing companies in Abilene, Texas:

  • Fehr Foods - Cookie manufacturer
  • Rentech Boiler Systems, Inc - Industrial boilers
  • Abtex Beverage - Soft drinks
  • Tige Boats - Boat manufacturer
  • Mrs. Baird's Bakery - Bakery products
  • Coca Cola of Abilene - Soft drinks
  • Zoltek - Carbon fiber
  • Hirschfeld Steel - Steel fabrication
  • Bandag, Ind - Rubber and retread
  • MicroMetals/Texas - Iron Core Powder

Abilene, Texas has numerous popular jobs where the majority of the workers are college graduates including registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, pharmacists, medical and health services managers, employment, recruitment and placement specialists; child, family and school social workers; and management analysts.

Associations offering assistance to local businesses include:

Abilene Reporter News is a good resource regarding local business and industry news.

Most Popular Jobs in Abilene, Texas Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,38055,920$37,720 - 72,93024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education81042,640$32,580 - 54,07014%95%
3Accountants and auditors64050,910$32,320 - 79,13018%79%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products62055,000$25,560 - 93,5508%51%
5Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education56042,930$32,710 - 56,9506%96%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education42044,290$33,410 - 58,64011%95%
7Pharmacists180111,820$73,850 - 135,88022%97%
8Medical and health services managers17074,750$39,170 - 104,93016%57%
9Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists16037,020$27,540 - 46,32018%56%
10Child, family, and school social workers16027,830$15,120 - 37,98019%77%
11Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists14034,910$27,160 - 42,72011%58%
12Educational, vocational, and school counselors14043,210$28,090 - 61,16013%73%
13Medical and clinical laboratory technicians13027,550$18,590 - 38,94015%51%
14Computer programmers13049,490$35,090 - 80,4300%73%
15Coaches and scouts13028,080$13,280 - 55,91015%60%
16Instructional coordinators12041,520$27,730 - 55,65023%79%
17Speech-language pathologists12043,540$27,670 - 64,08011%98%
18Lawyers12095,630$54,470 - 145,20011%99%
19Management analysts12042,230$15,710 - 63,25022%78%
20Occupational therapists110 $ - 23%90%
21Medical and clinical laboratory technologists11045,720$34,560 - 60,96012%51%
22Education administrators, elementary and secondary school11065,990$46,330 - 80,3708%78%
23Financial managers11079,350$28,680 - 134,00013%60%
24Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school11041,390$32,770 - 53,25020%87%
25Public relations specialists11038,730$15,000 - 60,80018%81%
26Social and community service managers8050,140$23,500 - 81,33025%72%
27Training and development specialists8045,960$25,350 - 78,99018%56%
28Vocational education teachers, secondary school8048,330$35,810 - 62,2200%96%
29Librarians8040,980$19,940 - 53,3704%85%
30Medical and public health social workers8043,760$28,520 - 63,60024%77%
31Special education teachers, middle school7040,700$32,920 - 51,77016%87%
32Floral designers7019,930$13,640 - 25,6800%55%
33Civil engineers7071,300$38,470 - 103,55018%87%
34Network and computer systems administrators7053,520$33,830 - 87,57027%50%
35Sales and related workers, all other7023,360$14,490 - 34,66014%62%
36Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors7021,010$15,970 - 31,35014%54%
37Special education teachers, secondary school6040,740$30,520 - 52,4509%87%
38Mental health counselors6028,890$18,000 - 48,77030%73%
39Sales managers60124,710$69,990 - 10%69%
40Physical therapists6077,100$56,430 - 104,00027%89%
41Chief executives60126,560$57,090 - 2%65%
42Social and human service assistants5023,060$13,850 - 34,76034%58%
43Advertising sales agents5056,280$23,880 - 101,39020%56%
44Graphic designers5036,750$22,300 - 60,59010%55%
45Computer systems analysts5048,440$27,340 - 81,25029%68%
46Personal financial advisors5067,840$42,230 - 85,09041%81%
47Insurance underwriters4053,950$35,390 - 80,0906%53%
48Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents40108,980$35,030 - 25%67%
49Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation4048,720$29,750 - 77,1505%58%
50Network systems and data communications analysts4046,960$28,700 - 75,65053%57%
51Reporters and correspondents4034,680$17,200 - 51,5901%85%
52Rehabilitation counselors4033,680$25,290 - 57,24023%73%
53Database administrators4040,700$29,380 - 51,80029%72%
54Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products40 $ - 12%51%
55Computer and information systems managers4097,960$51,210 - 162,24016%73%
56Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3043,200$23,080 - 63,48018%56%
57Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other3045,320$29,260 - 64,53017%56%
58Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors3037,750$28,690 - 51,19034%73%
59Market research analysts3062,300$23,830 - 152,00020%82%
60Dentists, general30184,710$81,390 - 9%100%
61Physician assistants3078,570$69,670 - 97,36027%67%
62Mechanical engineers3074,990$52,280 - 100,4004%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,43025,750$13,420 - 55,43012%25%
2Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,29014,790$12,800 - 16,58018%5%
3Cashiers1,82017,290$13,060 - 22,210-2%10%
4Office clerks, general1,55020,430$13,660 - 29,87013%19%
5Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,50023,700$15,980 - 32,9401%18%
6Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,37018,470$13,630 - 24,37018%7%
7Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses1,17033,340$26,170 - 40,91014%7%
8Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks99027,450$17,190 - 39,23013%16%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand99018,360$13,290 - 25,3002%5%
10Waiters and waitresses94014,730$12,750 - 16,93011%14%
11General and operations managers94093,600$38,930 - 2%48%
12Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners84017,430$13,010 - 24,85015%4%
13Customer service representatives81025,380$16,030 - 39,11025%22%
14Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer80033,850$21,160 - 48,57010%4%
15Executive secretaries and administrative assistants78034,460$20,940 - 52,61015%18%
16Home health aides71015,720$12,920 - 19,46049%7%
17First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers67047,060$22,590 - 80,8604%25%
18Stock clerks and order fillers66020,900$13,830 - 30,750-7%8%
19First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers65041,180$23,210 - 63,2506%29%
20Teacher assistants63018,570$13,300 - 26,03010%18%
21Maids and housekeeping cleaners63015,980$12,950 - 20,20013%5%
22First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers61025,150$15,560 - 36,30011%14%
23Roustabouts, oil and gas60041,050$21,960 - 53,590-2%0%
24Maintenance and repair workers, general59026,590$15,450 - 39,48010%6%
25Personal and home care aides55015,140$12,860 - 18,32051%10%
26Truck drivers, light or delivery services50029,000$14,760 - 51,5708%4%
27Landscaping and groundskeeping workers50019,280$13,780 - 25,71018%6%
28Receptionists and information clerks44019,600$13,900 - 26,33017%13%
29Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers44033,160$22,000 - 54,9605%2%
30Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42025,110$17,410 - 39,3608%3%
31Construction laborers40024,150$16,680 - 33,09011%5%
32Cooks, restaurant40019,410$14,780 - 25,13012%5%
33Driver/sales workers39020,730$13,500 - 26,430-4%4%
34Automotive service technicians and mechanics39030,480$17,220 - 47,76014%4%
35Cooks, fast food38015,520$12,940 - 19,1808%5%
36Food preparation workers34015,570$12,810 - 19,81015%7%
37Tellers33019,400$16,020 - 24,58014%16%
38Electricians33041,090$26,150 - 59,5307%7%
39First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers32054,670$28,840 - 96,6809%10%
40Helpers--production workers30019,320$13,140 - 26,5500%4%
41Cooks, institution and cafeteria29017,360$13,080 - 24,38011%5%
42Child care workers26016,740$12,970 - 23,39018%15%
43First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers25048,790$29,750 - 70,3007%13%
44Counter and rental clerks25019,780$12,980 - 35,97023%16%
45Billing and posting clerks and machine operators23024,720$17,520 - 32,1304%15%
46Carpenters22030,410$22,460 - 39,96010%6%
47Computer support specialists21044,030$25,440 - 66,07013%43%
48Service station attendants21018,730$13,410 - 25,38013%6%
49Preschool teachers, except special education21021,330$13,170 - 38,86026%43%
50First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers21044,970$27,850 - 65,760-4%15%
51Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers20022,660$14,400 - 36,29012%0%
52Laundry and dry-cleaning workers20015,720$12,930 - 19,53010%5%
53Packers and packagers, hand20017,650$12,990 - 29,120-11%3%
54Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers19014,450$12,730 - 16,09012%6%
55Helpers--electricians18022,870$15,550 - 33,4507%3%
56Postal service mail carriers180 1%11%
57Dishwashers17014,440$12,730 - 16,46010%3%
58Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17017,770$14,540 - 20,65017%14%
59Industrial truck and tractor operators17022,220$16,580 - 26,060-1%2%
60Business operations specialists, all other17047,220$14,840 - 78,77021%49%
61Insurance claims and policy processing clerks16030,270$21,980 - 39,9500%22%
62Painters, construction and maintenance16028,950$21,960 - 38,41012%6%
63Health technologists and technicians, all other16029,610$21,220 - 34,65015%27%
64Data entry keyers16022,040$15,930 - 28,880-4%18%
65Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining160 -4%0%
66Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers16032,070$20,990 - 46,5809%3%
67Interviewers, except eligibility and loan15026,720$17,440 - 37,00010%24%
68Insurance sales agents15035,550$26,180 - 50,00013%45%
69Bartenders15016,920$13,230 - 20,47011%17%
70Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks15024,130$16,570 - 32,0304%6%
71Parts salespersons15027,860$13,890 - 44,450-1%6%
72Recreation workers15017,560$12,930 - 25,71013%47%
73Security guards15023,880$13,450 - 39,54017%13%
74Pharmacy technicians15027,380$21,370 - 35,07032%16%
75Medical assistants14023,200$16,810 - 31,63035%10%
76Medical secretaries14024,000$16,720 - 33,73017%18%
77Team assemblers14020,050$13,440 - 29,6000%5%
78Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists140 12%6%
79Office and administrative support workers, all other13038,280$24,870 - 49,660-8%32%
80Loan officers13057,830$22,550 - 98,04012%49%
81Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers13036,670$25,310 - 58,9103%13%
82Construction managers12060,940$38,390 - 93,22016%29%
83Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop12015,360$12,780 - 20,37010%17%
84Bus drivers, school12018,300$13,110 - 26,6109%4%
85Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators110 -7%12%
86Kindergarten teachers, except special education11041,740$33,540 - 51,98016%43%
87Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists11032,350$22,150 - 47,90012%3%
88Bill and account collectors11031,420$17,900 - 66,00023%13%
89Switchboard operators, including answering service11017,600$13,030 - 24,940-7%10%
90Cleaners of vehicles and equipment11017,220$13,360 - 20,91014%3%
91Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines10026,290$21,670 - 33,56012%3%
92Dental assistants10026,650$16,910 - 38,57029%9%
93Sales representatives, services, all other10038,560$14,760 - 86,81028%48%
94Medical records and health information technicians10030,560$17,370 - 69,04018%12%
95Physicians and surgeons, all other100 0%0%
96Food service managers10052,920$22,520 - 82,2305%24%
97Administrative services managers10079,040$49,830 - 109,09012%40%
98Machinists10031,300$22,620 - 40,050-2%3%
99Radiologic technologists and technicians9050,080$35,120 - 65,09015%25%
100Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders9018,410$13,360 - 24,600-4%5%
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Abilene property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Abilene Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Roustabouts, oil and gas41,05060067.9
Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining 16018.9
Service station attendants18,7302107.8
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists34,9101407.5
Health technologists and technicians, all other29,6101605.8
Helpers--electricians22,8701804.2
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses33,3401,1704.1
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers22,6602003.4
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers33,1604403.1
Personal and home care aides15,1405502.9
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators25,1104202.9
Occupational therapists 1102.8
Speech-language pathologists43,5401202.7
Driver/sales workers20,7303902.6
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants18,4701,3702.4
Instructional coordinators41,5201202.3
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers15,7202002.3
Cooks, institution and cafeteria17,3602902.2
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians27,5501302.1
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines26,2901002.1
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food14,7902,2902
Home health aides15,7207102
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17,7701702
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive23,7001,5001.9
Coaches and scouts28,0801301.9
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers25,1506101.8
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists37,0201601.8
Cooks, fast food15,5203801.8
Maids and housekeeping cleaners15,9806301.7
Switchboard operators, including answering service17,6001101.7
Kindergarten teachers, except special education41,7401101.7
Parts salespersons27,8601501.7
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan26,7201501.7
Helpers--production workers19,3203001.7
Pharmacists111,8201801.7
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education44,2904201.7
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers36,6701301.7
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks30,2701601.6
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists45,7201101.6
Medical and health services managers74,7501701.6
Child, family, and school social workers27,8301601.5
Painters, construction and maintenance28,9501601.5
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers32,0701601.5
Automotive service technicians and mechanics30,4803901.4
Medical records and health information technicians30,5601001.4
Elementary school teachers, except special education42,6408101.4
Educational, vocational, and school counselors43,2101401.4
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education42,9305601.4
Tellers19,4003301.4
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers48,7902501.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Abilene, Texas Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Roustabouts, oil and gas41,0501.3600
Office and administrative support workers, all other38,2801.23130
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers47,0601.22670
Pharmacists111,8201.07180
Retail salespersons25,7501.062,430
Computer support specialists44,0301.05210
Bill and account collectors31,4201.02110
Truck drivers, light or delivery services29,0001500
Loan officers57,8300.98130
Pharmacy technicians27,3800.97150
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products55,0000.97620
General and operations managers93,6000.97940
Security guards23,8800.95150
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan26,7200.94150
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers33,1600.94440
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,6700.94320
Lawyers95,6300.93120
Cashiers17,2900.931,820
Stock clerks and order fillers20,9000.92660
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers22,6600.91200
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks30,2700.91160
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17,7700.91170
Service station attendants18,7300.91210
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers41,1800.91650
Parts salespersons27,8600.91150
Registered nurses55,9200.911,380
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer33,8500.9800
Cooks, restaurant19,4100.89400
Cooks, fast food15,5200.89380
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants34,4600.89780
Medical and health services managers74,7500.88170
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education44,2900.88420
Kindergarten teachers, except special education41,7400.88110
Electricians41,0900.88330
Bartenders16,9200.87150
Child care workers16,7400.87260
Packers and packagers, hand17,6500.87200
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15,3600.87120
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food14,7900.862,290
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks27,4500.86990
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists45,7200.86110
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers48,7900.86250
Helpers--electricians22,8700.86180
Elementary school teachers, except special education42,6400.86810
Customer service representatives25,3800.86810
Financial managers79,3500.86110
Accountants and auditors50,9100.85640
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers44,9700.85210
Counter and rental clerks19,7800.85250
Data entry keyers22,0400.85160

Highest Paying Jobs in Abilene, Texas Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Dentists, general184,71030
Chief executives126,56060
Sales managers124,71060
Pharmacists111,820180
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents108,98040
Computer and information systems managers97,96040
Family and general practitioners95,750 
Lawyers95,630120
General and operations managers93,600940
Financial managers79,350110
Administrative services managers79,040100
Physician assistants78,57030
Physical therapists77,10060
Mechanical engineers74,99030
Medical and health services managers74,750170
Producers and directors72,000 
Civil engineers71,30070
Architects, except landscape and naval69,460 
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers68,11090
Personal financial advisors67,84050
Dental hygienists66,55060
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school65,990110
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers65,28050
Market research analysts62,30030
Appraisers and assessors of real estate62,00050
Boilermakers61,65060
Construction managers60,940120
Loan officers57,830130
Cost estimators57,20040
Advertising sales agents56,28050
Registered nurses55,9201,380
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products55,000620
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators54,88080
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,670320
Insurance underwriters53,95040
Network and computer systems administrators53,52070
Food service managers52,920100
Accountants and auditors50,910640
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas50,400 
Social and community service managers50,14080
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators50,12080
Radiologic technologists and technicians50,08090
Computer programmers49,490130
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers48,790250
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation48,72040
Computer systems analysts48,44050
Vocational education teachers, secondary school48,33080
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers47,600 
Business operations specialists, all other47,220170
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers47,060670

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