Houston Employment

Employment and Industries in the Houston, Texas Area

Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States. The Houston-sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area is also the seventh largest metropolitan area in the United States. Similar to other large metropolitan areas, the Houston metropolitan area has a tremendous concentration of business and commerce. The Houston metropolitan area is home to nearly fifty Fortune 1000 company headquarters, and Houston ranks third among metropolitan statistical areas in the number of Fortune 500 headquarters, behind New York, and Chicago.

The Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network (GaWC) ranks certain cities as "Global Cities" (also known as world cities or world-class cities). There are three tiers of ranking, alpha (first-tier), beta (second-tier) and gamma (third tier), based on a cities "tangible effect on global affairs through socioeconomic, cultural, and/or political means" (Wikipedia). Houston is one of eleven U.S. global cities ranked as a "World City". Houston is ranked as a "Gamma World City" by GaWC, on a par with Boston, Dallas, and Washington.

In Houston, the energy industry, based on oil and gas exploration and production, is a major driver of the Houston economy. The Houston area is also the world's leading manufacturing center for oil field equipment. Houston is one of the world's largest centers of petrochemical manufacturing, including synthetic rubber, insecticides, and fertilizers. Other major industries in Houston include:

  • Aeronautics
  • Agriculture
  • Banking and finance
  • Biomedical research
  • Commercial fishing
  • Education
  • Engineering services
  • Health services
  • High-technology (computer, aerospace, environmental, etc.)
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional and business services
  • Shipping (International import and export)
  • Wholesale and retail trade

The Port of Houston, a man-made shipping channel, is first in the United States in international commerce, and is the sixth largest port in the world. Among US ports, it is the busiest port in foreign tonnage and second busiest port in overall tonnage.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Houston ranks eleventh on the list of US cities who receive the most annual funding from the NIH.

Some major companies of note in and around Houston include:

  • A.D. Vision
  • Air Liquide
  • American General
  • Baker Hughes
  • BHP Billiton
  • BMC Software
  • BP
  • The Boeing Company - IDS NASA Systems
  • Brooks Information Technology
  • Centerpoint Energy
  • Citgo
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Continental Airlines
  • Cooper Industries
  • Dominion Exploration and Production
  • Duke Natural Gas Co.
  • Dynegy
  • EGL - Eagle Global Logistics
  • El Paso Corporation (formerly El Paso Energy)
  • Enron
  • Fiesta Mart
  • Foley's
  • Gerland's
  • Halliburton
  • Landry's
  • Lewis Food Town
  • Lyondell Chemical Company
  • Luby's
  • Marathon Oil
  • Men's Wearhouse
  • Pro-Mark Corporation
  • Reliant Energy
  • Service Corporation International
  • Smith International
  • Sysco
  • Swishahouse
  • Unocal 76
  • U.S. Liquids
  • Waste Management, Inc.
  • Weatherford International

Some of the major business organizations in and around Houston include:

The Houston Business Journal, and the Business Section of the Houston Chronicle are excellent sources of information on business in the Houston metropolitan area.

Jobs in Houston

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations3052170$54,490$26.2100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations419280$41,150$19.7913.75
3Sales and Related Occupations300320$44,290$21.299.5
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations280000$24,470$11.768.7
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations258690$39,260$18.886.7
6Construction and Extraction Occupations193950$48,350$23.254.6
7Production Occupations193460$44,720$21.55.6
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations177250$56,460$27.156
9Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations165350$82,530$39.685.85
10Management Occupations163940$126,520$60.836.35
11Business and Financial Operations Occupations156470$84,050$40.415.35
12Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations133010$50,560$24.313.75
13Healthcare Support Occupations110590$26,900$12.932.85
14Fast Food and Counter Workers94310$21,130$10.162.45
15Retail Salespersons87880$26,020$12.512.7
16Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations87320$26,680$12.833.6
17Architecture and Engineering Occupations84560$109,620$52.71.7
18Computer and Mathematical Occupations84040$96,260$46.283
19Protective Service Occupations73870$45,110$21.692.2
20Office Clerks, General73810$40,980$19.71.9
21Cashiers66240$23,130$11.122.2
22Customer Service Representatives61270$35,260$16.951.75
23Home Health and Personal Care Aides59850$20,410$9.810
24General and Operations Managers55680$127,510$61.31.5
25Waiters and Waitresses55590$24,610$11.831.65
26Registered Nurses54780$81,350$39.111.95
27Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand50050$30,930$14.871.8
28Personal Care and Service Occupations47940$28,870$13.884.65
29Stockers and Order Fillers45960$29,130$14.011.25
30Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners43170$25,020$12.031.5
31Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers41960$45,670$21.961.2
32Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive40550$39,240$18.871.4
33Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations34680$84,210$40.490.8
34Construction Laborers32540$36,380$17.490.9
35Accountants and Auditors32120$83,350$40.070.9
36Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations31720$56,120$26.981.8
37Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks31530$44,370$21.331.05
38Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products31460$77,900$37.450.85
39Cooks, Restaurant29510$26,250$12.620.9
40Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other28770$89,510$43.030.7
41First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers28090$60,070$28.880.95
42Security Guards27790$31,190$150.7
43Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel27280$63,960$30.750.7
44Maintenance and Repair Workers, General27230$40,660$19.550.9
45Community and Social Service Occupations26450$52,410$25.21.75
46Legal Occupations24770$110,270$53.010.8
47First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers23420$47,950$23.050.95
48First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers22550$72,000$34.620.4
49Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers20910$106,670$51.280.65
50First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers20280$37,940$18.240.6
51Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners20080$22,810$10.970.9
52Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks18650$36,800$17.690.4
53Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants18610$35,830$17.230.4
54Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers18610$50,810$24.430.3
55Receptionists and Information Clerks18380$28,640$13.770.7
56Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators17990$37,220$17.90.4
57Electricians17700$57,470$27.630.45
58Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators17560$33,170$15.950.8
59Substitute Teachers, Short-Term17120$24,100$11.590.4
60Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers16740$44,860$21.570.35
61Nursing Assistants16030$28,400$13.650.95
62Food Preparation Workers15870$24,830$11.940.5
63Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers15320$28,980$13.930.75
64Computer Systems Analysts15300$119,540$57.470.4
65Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers15250$65,670$31.570.4
66Light Truck Drivers15200$41,360$19.880.6
67First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers14880$77,030$37.040.4
68Medical Assistants14710$34,290$16.490.45
69Computer User Support Specialists14540$59,200$28.460.4
70Carpenters14210$44,450$21.370.6
71Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses14120$48,340$23.240.5
72Industrial Machinery Mechanics13730$64,550$31.040.2
73Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators13640$47,610$22.890.25
74Lawyers13110$155,520$74.770.5
75Financial Managers12700$149,970$72.10.4
76Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity12590$27,910$13.420.3
77Human Resources Specialists12260$71,980$34.60.4
78Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers12170$21,070$10.130.3
79Bartenders12160$27,760$13.340.4
80Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters11720$54,980$26.430.3
81Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics11230$45,150$21.710.5
82Childcare Workers11200$24,890$11.970.7
83Machinists11040$48,370$23.260.2
84First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers11010$73,060$35.130.3
85Buyers and Purchasing Agents10850$74,620$35.880.25
86Construction Managers10770$99,990$48.070.3
87Billing and Posting Clerks10740$41,600$200.3
88Civil Engineers10740$107,890$51.870.2
89Counter and Rental Clerks10530$34,870$16.770.3
90Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents10410$85,610$41.160.3
91Cooks, Fast Food10230$22,700$10.910.3
92Petroleum Engineers10210$183,190$88.070
93First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors10190$57,580$27.680.3
94Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other10170$98,230$47.230.2
95Helpers--Production Workers9750$30,740$14.780.2
96Management Analysts9480$110,530$53.140.55
97Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks9410$54,290$26.10.2
98Dishwashers9320$22,230$10.690.3
99Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment9210$26,340$12.660.3
100Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education9120$39,290$18.890.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Houston Colleges
Houston colleges and trade schools.
Houston Graduate Schools
Houston Graduate and Business Schools

Jobs More Common Near Houston Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$54,4903,052,170
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,150419,280
Sales and Related Occupations$44,290300,320
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$24,470280,000
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$39,260258,690
Construction and Extraction Occupations$48,350193,950
Production Occupations$44,720193,460
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$56,460177,250
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$82,530165,350
Management Occupations$126,520163,940
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$84,050156,470
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,560133,010
Healthcare Support Occupations$26,900110,590
Fast Food and Counter Workers$21,13094,310
Retail Salespersons$26,02087,880
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,68087,320
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$109,62084,560
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$96,26084,040
Protective Service Occupations$45,11073,870
Office Clerks, General$40,98073,810
Cashiers$23,13066,240
Customer Service Representatives$35,26061,270
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$20,41059,850
General and Operations Managers$127,51055,680
Waiters and Waitresses$24,61055,590
Registered Nurses$81,35054,780
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,93050,050
Personal Care and Service Occupations$28,87047,940
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,13045,960
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$25,02043,170
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$45,67041,960
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,24040,550
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$84,21034,680
Construction Laborers$36,38032,540
Accountants and Auditors$83,35032,120
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$56,12031,720
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,37031,530
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$77,90031,460
Cooks, Restaurant$26,25029,510
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$89,51028,770
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$60,07028,090
Security Guards$31,19027,790
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$63,96027,280
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,66027,230
Community and Social Service Occupations$52,41026,450
Legal Occupations$110,27024,770
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,95023,420
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$72,00022,550
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$106,67020,910
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,94020,280

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$54,4903,052,170
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,150419,280
Sales and Related Occupations$44,290300,320
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$39,260258,690
Construction and Extraction Occupations$48,350193,950
Production Occupations$44,720193,460
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$56,460177,250
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$82,530165,350
Management Occupations$126,520163,940
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$84,050156,470
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,560133,010
Healthcare Support Occupations$26,900110,590
Retail Salespersons$26,02087,880
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,68087,320
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$109,62084,560
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$96,26084,040
Protective Service Occupations$45,11073,870
Office Clerks, General$40,98073,810
Customer Service Representatives$35,26061,270
General and Operations Managers$127,51055,680
Registered Nurses$81,35054,780
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,93050,050
Personal Care and Service Occupations$28,87047,940
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,13045,960
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$25,02043,170
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$45,67041,960
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,24040,550
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$84,21034,680
Construction Laborers$36,38032,540
Accountants and Auditors$83,35032,120
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$56,12031,720
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,37031,530
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$77,90031,460
Cooks, Restaurant$26,25029,510
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$89,51028,770
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$60,07028,090
Security Guards$31,19027,790
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$63,96027,280
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,66027,230
Community and Social Service Occupations$52,41026,450
Legal Occupations$110,27024,770
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,95023,420
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$72,00022,550
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$106,67020,910
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,94020,280
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$36,80018,650
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$35,83018,610
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,81018,610
Receptionists and Information Clerks$28,64018,380
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$37,22017,990

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