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.

Jobs in Waco

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations117870$43,590$20.96100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations16960$34,780$16.7213.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations11430$22,560$10.858.7
4Sales and Related Occupations11120$35,380$17.019.5
5Production Occupations9710$35,560$17.095.6
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations9660$34,020$16.366.7
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations8740$53,270$25.616
8Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations6540$75,470$36.295.85
9Business and Financial Operations Occupations5730$63,470$30.525.35
10Healthcare Support Occupations5670$26,450$12.722.85
11Construction and Extraction Occupations5540$41,190$19.84.6
12Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations5400$41,410$19.913.75
13Management Occupations5180$98,170$47.26.35
14Fast Food and Counter Workers4960$20,550$9.882.45
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations3740$25,130$12.083.6
16Cashiers3560$22,620$10.872.2
17Customer Service Representatives3250$28,890$13.891.75
18Retail Salespersons2990$25,760$12.392.7
19Home Health and Personal Care Aides2900$21,310$10.240
20Protective Service Occupations2830$48,850$23.492.2
21Office Clerks, General2740$34,240$16.461.9
22Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners2160$24,630$11.841.5
23Registered Nurses2160$66,590$32.011.95
24Stockers and Order Fillers2050$29,410$14.141.25
25General and Operations Managers1880$95,650$45.991.5
26Personal Care and Service Occupations1880$27,320$13.134.65
27Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1850$47,650$22.911.2
28Architecture and Engineering Occupations1750$81,800$39.321.7
29Computer and Mathematical Occupations1710$70,050$33.683
30Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1700$32,380$15.571.4
31Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1580$27,130$13.051.8
32Community and Social Service Occupations1520$44,840$21.561.75
33Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other1420$66,630$32.040.7
34Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1330$34,950$16.80.9
35Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1290$54,200$26.061.8
36Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks1190$36,230$17.421.05
37Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators1120$31,030$14.920.8
38Medical Assistants1050$32,130$15.450.45
39First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers1040$41,670$20.030.95
40First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1010$54,190$26.050.95
41Nursing Assistants1010$27,250$13.10.95
42Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers980$37,300$17.930.35
43Food Preparation Workers880$23,450$11.280.5
44Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products840$62,290$29.950.85
45Correctional Officers and Jailers780$42,550$20.460.25
46Construction Laborers750$32,170$15.470.9
47Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses740$46,240$22.230.5
48Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel730$44,720$21.50.7
49Accountants and Auditors720$67,320$32.370.9
50Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators700$65,300$31.390.2
51First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers700$37,660$18.110.6
52First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers700$62,270$29.940.4
53Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers680$25,780$12.40.75
54Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics670$40,240$19.350.5
55Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators670$32,290$15.520.4
56Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers670$60,470$29.070.4
57Light Truck Drivers660$35,440$17.040.6
58Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners660$20,210$9.720.9
59Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks650$33,330$16.020.4
60Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations640$62,650$30.120.8
61Legal Occupations630$95,910$46.110.8
62Security Guards620$36,790$17.690.7
63Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders610$28,810$13.850.2
64First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers600$64,760$31.130.4
65Carpenters590$35,760$17.190.6
66Driver/Sales Workers580$30,540$14.690.3
67Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity580$27,210$13.080.3
68Computer User Support Specialists540$44,720$21.50.4
69Electricians530$48,670$23.40.45
70Childcare Workers520$22,230$10.690.7
71Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants520$31,970$15.370.4
72Cooks, Fast Food510$21,100$10.150.3
73Packers and Packagers, Hand490$23,040$11.080.4
74Substitute Teachers, Short-Term490$22,400$10.770.4
75Receptionists and Information Clerks480$26,740$12.860.7
76Tellers480$27,310$13.130.25
77Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters460$44,160$21.230.3
78Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers450$38,580$18.550.3
79Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria420$23,560$11.330.3
80Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs420$40,470$19.460.1
81Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers410$39,240$18.860.2
82Human Resources Specialists410$54,340$26.120.4
83Bakers400$26,080$12.540.1
84Helpers--Production Workers400$30,800$14.810.2
85Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators400$38,960$18.730.25
86Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary380$58,700$28.220.1
87Bill and Account Collectors360$30,790$14.80.15
88Child, Family, and School Social Workers360$44,850$21.560.2
89Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks360$41,840$20.120.2
90Buyers and Purchasing Agents350$53,600$25.770.25
91Lawyers350$121,300$58.320.5
92Industrial Engineers340$97,050$46.660.2
93Industrial Machinery Mechanics340$48,740$23.430.2
94Construction Managers330$78,860$37.910.3
95First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers330$56,080$26.960.3
96Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators320$55,020$26.450.1
97Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors320$50,860$24.450.2
98Parts Salespersons320$30,100$14.470.2
99Physical Therapists320$86,150$41.420.2
100Bartenders310$23,910$11.490.4
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Waco Colleges
Waco colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Waco Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$43,590117,870
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,78016,960
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$22,56011,430
Sales and Related Occupations$35,38011,120
Production Occupations$35,5609,710
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,0209,660
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$53,2708,740
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$75,4706,540
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$63,4705,730
Healthcare Support Occupations$26,4505,670
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,1905,540
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$41,4105,400
Management Occupations$98,1705,180
Fast Food and Counter Workers$20,5504,960
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,1303,740
Cashiers$22,6203,560
Customer Service Representatives$28,8903,250
Retail Salespersons$25,7602,990
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$21,3102,900
Protective Service Occupations$48,8502,830
Office Clerks, General$34,2402,740
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$24,6302,160
Registered Nurses$66,5902,160
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,4102,050
General and Operations Managers$95,6501,880
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,3201,880
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,6501,850
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$81,8001,750
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$70,0501,710
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$32,3801,700
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,1301,580
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,8401,520
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$66,6301,420
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$34,9501,330
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$54,2001,290
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$36,2301,190
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$31,0301,120
Medical Assistants$32,1301,050
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,6701,040
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,1901,010
Nursing Assistants$27,2501,010
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$37,300980
Food Preparation Workers$23,450880
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$62,290840
Correctional Officers and Jailers$42,550780
Construction Laborers$32,170750
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$46,240740
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$44,720730
Accountants and Auditors$67,320720
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$65,300700

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$43,590117,870
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,78016,960
Sales and Related Occupations$35,38011,120
Production Occupations$35,5609,710
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,0209,660
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$53,2708,740
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$75,4706,540
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$63,4705,730
Healthcare Support Occupations$26,4505,670
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,1905,540
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$41,4105,400
Management Occupations$98,1705,180
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,1303,740
Customer Service Representatives$28,8903,250
Retail Salespersons$25,7602,990
Protective Service Occupations$48,8502,830
Office Clerks, General$34,2402,740
Registered Nurses$66,5902,160
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,4102,050
General and Operations Managers$95,6501,880
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,3201,880
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,6501,850
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$81,8001,750
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$70,0501,710
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$32,3801,700
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,1301,580
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,8401,520
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$66,6301,420
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$34,9501,330
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$54,2001,290
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$36,2301,190
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$31,0301,120
Medical Assistants$32,1301,050
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,6701,040
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,1901,010
Nursing Assistants$27,2501,010
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$37,300980
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$62,290840
Correctional Officers and Jailers$42,550780
Construction Laborers$32,170750
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$46,240740
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$44,720730
Accountants and Auditors$67,320720
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$65,300700
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,660700
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$62,270700
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$25,780680
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$40,240670
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$32,290670
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$60,470670

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