City Town Info

Waco Employment

Employment and Industries in the Waco, Texas Area

Waco's economy still depends partly on livestock and crops. Manufacturing and tourism are significant economic elements. Waco is situated in the heart of a Texas manufacturing and technology corridor. Items produced in the city include machinery, glass, fabricated metal, plastics, rubber, clothing and tires. Waco also includes an aerospace industry.

Notable information regarding Waco, Texas: Adult population holding a bachelor's degree or higher: 19%. Average salary in 2009: $26,000. The cost of living index in 2008: 79.5 (U.S. average: 100).

Waco's primary fields of employment are educational services, healthcare, accommodation and food services, construction, and finance and insurance. Management, professional and related occupations (27% of the workforce). Sales and office occupations (22% of the labor force).

The major employers in the Waco region:

  • Waco Independent School District
  • Baylor University
  • Providence Healthcare Network
  • Hillcrest Health System
  • City of Waco
  • H-E-B
  • L-3 Communications
  • Walmart
  • McLennan County
  • Midway Independent School District
  • Cargill Foods
  • Veterans Administrative Medical Center
  • McLennan Community College
  • Pilgrim's Pride
  • Texas State Technical College
  • Mars Snackfoods US
  • Sanderson Farms
  • Examination Management Services
  • ALCOA Fastening Systems
  • American Income Life

Some of the occupations in Waco that are mostly filled by college graduates are: registered nurses, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, teachers, medical and health services managers, market research analysts, public relations specialists, network and computer systems administrators, and educational, vocational and school counselors.

Local businesses are invited to work with organizations such as:

People looking for local business and economic news can read the Wacotrib.com.

Most Popular Jobs in Waco, 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 nurses1,95063,320$37,100 - 78,91024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,40048,210$21,590 - 81,6808%51%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education1,13040,740$29,560 - 51,68014%95%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education89043,930$33,050 - 57,5706%96%
5Accountants and auditors68048,100$28,880 - 71,01018%79%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education63042,220$32,630 - 52,63011%95%
7Teachers and instructors, all other57020,360$13,590 - 29,8609%54%
8Medical and health services managers28064,350$46,520 - 83,23016%57%
9Lawyers270114,880$14,750 - 11%99%
10Market research analysts26075,120$32,340 - 122,09020%82%
11Public relations specialists25046,360$28,930 - 74,56018%81%
12Network and computer systems administrators22052,780$34,680 - 77,64027%50%
13Educational, vocational, and school counselors22047,330$32,040 - 63,86013%73%
14Education administrators, elementary and secondary school21064,620$51,010 - 81,8008%78%
15Computer systems analysts20048,380$27,710 - 78,00029%68%
16Instructional coordinators18055,400$35,900 - 77,90023%79%
17Computer programmers18066,650$20,790 - 119,1900%73%
18Financial managers17087,900$53,760 - 144,63013%60%
19Coaches and scouts17054,550$14,720 - 101,31015%60%
20Pharmacists150114,460$99,650 - 132,56022%97%
21Industrial engineers14094,970$40,020 - 20%74%
22Mechanical engineers14068,680$24,790 - 110,2704%78%
23Chief executives130126,600$73,300 - 2%65%
24Medical and clinical laboratory technicians12032,030$22,270 - 46,08015%51%
25Graphic designers12032,560$21,670 - 48,72010%55%
26Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school12040,850$28,100 - 51,76020%87%
27Sales managers120111,370$46,810 - 10%69%
28Child, family, and school social workers12035,000$26,150 - 48,88019%77%
29Librarians11044,620$30,980 - 57,9304%85%
30Physical therapists11074,840$49,370 - 99,44027%89%
31Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents100 $ - 25%67%
32Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation10052,460$34,340 - 77,5905%58%
33Community and social service specialists, all other10029,200$14,300 - 48,38025%58%
34Management analysts10075,520$42,560 - 142,41022%78%
35Computer and information systems managers10098,760$69,470 - 132,09016%73%
36Vocational education teachers, secondary school9044,520$34,780 - 58,5400%96%
37Speech-language pathologists9051,070$35,620 - 72,98011%98%
38Training and development specialists8049,600$27,990 - 84,43018%56%
39Network systems and data communications analysts8059,310$34,300 - 100,93053%57%
40Special education teachers, secondary school8043,340$33,440 - 56,7409%87%
41Medical and public health social workers8045,750$33,600 - 61,22024%77%
42Civil engineers8073,700$44,990 - 118,35018%87%
43Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists8065,390$30,870 - 130,97016%99%
44Social and community service managers7050,600$34,670 - 69,66025%72%
45Special education teachers, middle school7040,980$32,270 - 51,31016%87%
46Computer software engineers, applications7073,010$34,120 - 107,00045%85%
47Aerospace engineers7088,740$56,580 - 133,14010%87%
48Counselors, all other7049,420$34,950 - 63,75017%73%
49Database administrators7054,890$29,760 - 80,06029%72%
50Education administrators, postsecondary70 $ - 14%78%
51Personal financial advisors6062,470$32,310 - 96,57041%81%
52Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists6046,240$32,440 - 72,94018%56%
53Mental health and substance abuse social workers6031,550$26,040 - 40,00030%77%
54Managers, all other6098,840$39,970 - 7%55%
55Editors6046,490$26,830 - 75,3102%81%
56Public relations managers60111,390$54,610 - 17%75%
57Occupational therapists5068,460$48,020 - 92,61023%90%
58Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other5052,190$31,690 - 80,86017%56%
59Advertising sales agents5032,540$16,170 - 55,29020%56%
60Self-enrichment education teachers5023,500$16,240 - 32,84023%54%
61Financial analysts5065,960$29,590 - 107,56034%87%
62Sales and related workers, all other5026,870$17,190 - 45,72014%62%
63Occupational health and safety specialists4056,610$42,600 - 75,1008%72%
64Veterinarians4067,750$44,370 - 98,27035%100%
65Electrical engineers40105,210$59,730 - 6%81%
66Meeting and convention planners4037,760$25,420 - 61,27020%67%
67Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists4040,700$21,530 - 66,39018%56%
68Floral designers4022,040$18,180 - 25,7300%55%
69Social workers, all other4053,060$28,390 - 79,04018%77%
70Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products4061,990$38,200 - 104,02012%51%
71Engineering managers40120,010$76,370 - 7%84%
72Budget analysts4064,560$37,420 - 96,1507%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food3,43015,340$12,810 - 19,18018%5%
2Retail salespersons3,16022,220$13,660 - 32,81012%25%
3Cashiers2,46016,610$13,000 - 20,800-2%10%
4Waiters and waitresses2,02014,880$12,750 - 16,65011%14%
5Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,95024,560$15,810 - 33,1301%18%
6Office clerks, general1,85023,930$14,350 - 33,26013%19%
7Customer service representatives1,85024,700$16,400 - 32,90025%22%
8Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,76018,720$13,400 - 24,72015%4%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,60020,890$13,760 - 30,7802%5%
10Stock clerks and order fillers1,49022,400$13,990 - 31,200-7%8%
11Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,46041,250$25,690 - 60,51015%18%
12Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,41030,560$17,820 - 45,27013%16%
13Construction laborers1,38021,020$14,920 - 28,25011%5%
14General and operations managers1,34093,180$44,850 - 165,2702%48%
15Maintenance and repair workers, general1,32029,580$17,510 - 41,70010%6%
16Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,31034,250$22,730 - 58,12010%4%
17Home health aides1,26020,800$13,230 - 35,12049%7%
18Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,20021,360$16,500 - 29,65018%7%
19Team assemblers1,07025,670$16,730 - 43,6300%5%
20First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,04036,480$22,070 - 60,5104%25%
21First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,02043,270$26,360 - 67,2506%29%
22Teacher assistants95018,720$13,370 - 25,10010%18%
23Landscaping and groundskeeping workers83021,490$14,890 - 30,84018%6%
24Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators80054,480$34,020 - 78,3909%47%
25First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers79050,570$28,420 - 78,060-4%15%
26Cooks, restaurant78017,180$13,040 - 23,65012%5%
27First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers77027,030$16,680 - 39,74011%14%
28Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses76039,320$30,350 - 49,14014%7%
29Truck drivers, light or delivery services74024,760$16,550 - 37,1108%4%
30Receptionists and information clerks73021,660$14,980 - 31,08017%13%
31Police and sheriff's patrol officers59042,350$27,240 - 58,91011%33%
32Security guards56022,830$15,610 - 34,25017%13%
33Child care workers52018,200$13,020 - 27,45018%15%
34Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers52034,640$20,050 - 47,210-6%14%
35Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks50026,890$17,290 - 38,4604%6%
36Maids and housekeeping cleaners48016,070$12,880 - 21,14013%5%
37Industrial truck and tractor operators47025,360$17,970 - 34,060-1%2%
38Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers47030,690$21,410 - 43,7605%2%
39Tellers46022,930$16,580 - 30,73014%16%
40Driver/sales workers45021,780$13,160 - 37,560-4%4%
41Sales representatives, services, all other41057,260$27,840 - 81,43028%48%
42Business operations specialists, all other41062,590$32,250 - 91,79021%49%
43Bus drivers, school41021,900$14,030 - 30,0709%4%
44Machinists39033,230$20,950 - 49,170-2%3%
45Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers38036,790$17,620 - 57,890-26%6%
46Counter and rental clerks38018,760$12,940 - 30,56023%16%
47Automotive service technicians and mechanics36032,570$19,660 - 52,15014%4%
48Medical assistants36027,060$21,040 - 33,05035%10%
49Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists35029,810$21,090 - 42,06012%3%
50Electricians34043,250$31,460 - 52,5807%7%
51Cooks, institution and cafeteria34017,630$13,180 - 24,41011%5%
52Avionics technicians34041,730$29,050 - 55,0708%0%
53Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders320 -4%5%
54Food preparation workers32016,870$12,970 - 22,43015%7%
55Industrial machinery mechanics32039,390$28,230 - 51,5009%5%
56Computer support specialists32039,710$27,480 - 53,49013%43%
57Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators31029,500$22,060 - 40,3508%3%
58First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers30054,020$32,940 - 85,4807%13%
59Cement masons and concrete finishers30026,600$20,520 - 33,27011%2%
60Structural metal fabricators and fitters30030,370$19,450 - 41,6100%0%
61Construction managers28064,780$31,960 - 114,02016%29%
62First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers28052,310$34,570 - 73,9509%10%
63Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers28015,680$12,820 - 20,31012%6%
64Billing and posting clerks and machine operators28026,630$20,840 - 33,0704%15%
65Preschool teachers, except special education27022,970$13,220 - 42,03026%43%
66Vocational education teachers, postsecondary27047,640$35,100 - 62,4900%0%
67Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers27025,960$19,740 - 37,44011%2%
68Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators26025,780$19,910 - 32,7709%0%
69Dishwashers26015,310$12,850 - 19,39010%3%
70Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters26027,500$19,720 - 37,2003%4%
71Postal service mail carriers260 1%11%
72Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks23015,500$12,820 - 19,68017%14%
73Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic23029,110$14,420 - 44,010-14%0%
74Radiologic technologists and technicians23046,800$26,720 - 64,95015%25%
75Production, planning, and expediting clerks23031,000$18,290 - 46,7904%30%
76Carpenters23029,480$21,030 - 38,60010%6%
77Brickmasons and blockmasons22042,310$34,710 - 51,89010%3%
78Cooks, fast food22014,660$12,670 - 18,4008%5%
79Parts salespersons22030,510$18,100 - 44,840-1%6%
80Assemblers and fabricators, all other22021,390$14,910 - 30,420-8%5%
81Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders22028,290$16,950 - 40,690-4%4%
82Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders210 -7%0%
83All other information and record clerks21027,950$16,710 - 40,970-12%21%
84Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop21016,050$12,950 - 20,38010%17%
85Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators210 -7%12%
86Administrative services managers21071,780$37,500 - 109,42012%40%
87Bartenders20016,370$12,830 - 24,27011%17%
88Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists20026,550$14,840 - 39,63012%6%
89Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators19032,490$22,760 - 46,00014%8%
90Helpers--production workers19019,120$13,740 - 27,6700%4%
91Cost estimators19048,300$22,800 - 76,41019%32%
92First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers19063,750$44,810 - 87,1004%38%
93Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other19021,070$13,770 - 30,7300%0%
94Data entry keyers18019,380$13,280 - 27,580-4%18%
95Printing machine operators18025,100$17,220 - 37,780-5%6%
96Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance18030,220$25,780 - 37,8402%11%
97Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products18047,210$28,560 - 73,7400%42%
98Pharmacy technicians18029,330$21,340 - 39,96032%16%
99Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers17021,660$14,360 - 31,39012%0%
100Healthcare support workers, all other17030,980$16,110 - 48,50016%10%
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Career Schools in Waco

Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.

(Also see all Texas Colleges.)

ATI Career Training Center
Waco, Texas
  • Programs: Basic Skills, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Engineering Technician, Mechanics And Repair, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Therapy And Counseling
  • Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Diploma
  • Request Info From The School

Jobs More Common Near Waco Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Avionics technicians41,73034045.4
Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other21,07019012.6
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators25,7802608.2
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders25,2701307.5
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers25,9602706.1
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders 2105.6
Electromechanical equipment assemblers32,9801605.1
Structural metal fabricators and fitters30,3703004.5
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing24,3901504.2
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary47,6402704.2
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators54,4808004.1
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters27,5002603.7
Industrial engineering technicians46,2701503.6
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators30,5001003.5
Brickmasons and blockmasons42,3102203.3
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators32,4901903.2
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary61,3401003.1
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders31,6701102.9
Business teachers, postsecondary92,3501102.9
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers36,7903802.8
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders28,2902202.7
Cement masons and concrete finishers26,6003002.2
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists29,8103502.2
Home health aides20,8001,2602.2
Instructional coordinators55,4001802.2
Family and general practitioners174,6801302.1
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers15,2201402.1
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers30,6904702.1
Construction laborers21,0201,3802
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers50,5707901.9
Industrial machinery mechanics39,3903201.9
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food15,3403,4301.9
Driver/sales workers21,7804501.8
Construction managers64,7802801.8
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers34,6405201.8
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers21,6601701.8
Teachers and instructors, all other20,3605701.8
Sewing machine operators18,5501501.7
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses39,3207601.7
Radiologic technologists and technicians46,8002301.7
Automotive body and related repairers41,4901601.6
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks15,5002301.6
Nonfarm animal caretakers18,9801401.6
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,1102301.6
Team assemblers25,6701,0701.6
Medical and health services managers64,3502801.6
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators 2101.6
Market research analysts75,1202601.6
Cooks, institution and cafeteria17,6303401.6
Library assistants, clerical24,9001101.6

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Coaches and scouts54,5501.53170
Loan officers77,2601.31160
Industrial engineers94,9701.3140
Market research analysts75,1201.28260
Food service managers60,9901.26170
Business teachers, postsecondary92,3501.25110
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers36,7901.25380
Physicians and surgeons, all other218,4001.23140
Sales managers111,3701.13120
Lawyers114,8801.12270
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers25,9601.11270
Sales representatives, services, all other57,2601.1410
Pharmacists114,4601.09150
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants41,2501.061,460
Business operations specialists, all other62,5901.06410
Family and general practitioners174,6801.06130
Healthcare support workers, all other30,9801.06170
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists26,5501.06200
Automotive body and related repairers41,4901.06160
Electromechanical equipment assemblers32,9801.05160
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders31,6701.05110
Pharmacy technicians29,3301.04180
Library assistants, clerical24,9001.04110
Computer programmers66,6501.04180
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers34,6401.03520
Registered nurses63,3201.031,950
Physical therapists74,8401.02110
File clerks23,7501.01160
Parts salespersons30,5101220
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,1101230
Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other21,0701190
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses39,3200.99760
Administrative services managers71,7800.99210
Stock clerks and order fillers22,4000.981,490
Home health aides20,8000.981,260
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary47,6400.98270
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators54,4800.97800
Tellers22,9300.97460
General and operations managers93,1800.971,340
Medical assistants27,0600.96360
Industrial production managers85,0700.96130
Instructional coordinators55,4000.96180
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers43,2700.961,020
Industrial engineering technicians46,2700.96150
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators49,6800.96120
Dental assistants30,8300.96150
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers50,5700.96790
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks30,5600.961,410
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers54,0200.95300
Financial managers87,9000.95170

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

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other218,400140
Family and general practitioners174,680130
Chief executives126,600130
Engineering managers120,01040
Marketing managers116,980 
Lawyers114,880270
Pharmacists114,460150
Public relations managers111,39060
Sales managers111,370120
Electrical engineers105,21040
Managers, all other98,84060
Computer and information systems managers98,760100
Industrial engineers94,970140
General and operations managers93,1801,340
Business teachers, postsecondary92,350110
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers91,10060
Aerospace engineers88,74070
Financial managers87,900170
Industrial production managers85,070130
Chiropractors80,100 
Loan officers77,260160
Management analysts75,520100
Market research analysts75,120260
Computer software engineers, systems software74,970 
Physical therapists74,840110
Civil engineers73,70080
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary73,12060
Computer software engineers, applications73,01070
Administrative services managers71,780210
Mechanical engineers68,680140
Occupational therapists68,46050
Veterinarians67,75040
Psychology teachers, postsecondary67,15050
Computer programmers66,650180
Financial analysts65,96050
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists65,39080
Construction managers64,780280
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school64,620210
Budget analysts64,56040
Medical and health services managers64,350280
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers63,750190
Registered nurses63,3201,950
Dental hygienists63,29080
Logisticians63,00040
Business operations specialists, all other62,590410
Personal financial advisors62,47060
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products61,99040
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary61,340100
Food service managers60,990170
Network systems and data communications analysts59,31080

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