Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Texas

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Texas run 2.9% below the national average (2024), so a Texas salary is worth about 1.03× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Texas.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Texas

OccupationMedian, Texas · Real change since 2019

1Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$38,220
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,870 – $79,110-45.0%-30.7% nominal
2Real Estate Sales Agents$45,740
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,110 – $120,050-40.7%-25.3% nominal
3Editors$45,950
Bachelor's degree
$29,040 – $105,440-32.5%-14.9% nominal
4Solar Photovoltaic Installers$48,240
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,660 – $73,690-31.4%-13.6% nominal
5Pest Control Workers$37,660
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,550 – $59,630-30.1%-12.0% nominal
6Interpreters and Translators$47,510
Bachelor's degree
$31,500 – $89,140-29.6%-11.3% nominal
7Self-Enrichment Teachers$36,140
High school diploma or equivalent
$24,020 – $71,610-27.4%-8.6% nominal
8Coaches and Scouts$36,510
Bachelor's degree
$22,340 – $78,720-26.9%-8.0% nominal
9Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$56,390
No formal educational credential
$40,600 – $75,280-25.6%-6.3% nominal
10Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$62,020
Associate's degree
$45,650 – $103,340-24.9%-5.5% nominal
11Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$48,960
Associate's degree
$29,950 – $83,650-24.1%-4.4% nominal
12Tax Preparers$47,460
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,110 – $86,950-23.8%-4.1% nominal
13Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$108,150
Doctoral or professional degree
$61,390 – $350,500-23.4%-3.6% nominal
14Loan Officers$66,370
Bachelor's degree
$34,150 – $135,280-21.8%-1.6% nominal
15Chefs and Head Cooks$56,080
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,380 – $92,290-20.9%-0.4% nominal
16Logisticians$75,480
Bachelor's degree
$45,310 – $123,790-20.7%-0.1% nominal
17Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$60,150
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,230 – $106,230-20.6%0.0% nominal
18Aerospace Engineers$130,270
Bachelor's degree
$82,990 – $195,190-20.1%+0.6% nominal
19Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$53,000
Associate's degree
$36,650 – $103,120-19.9%+0.8% nominal
20Surveyors$61,150
Bachelor's degree
$42,450 – $107,850-19.7%+1.1% nominal
21Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$61,320
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,080 – $139,750-19.0%+2.0% nominal
22Computer Network Support Specialists$66,780
Associate's degree
$45,440 – $110,570-18.9%+2.1% nominal
23Compliance Officers$75,370
Bachelor's degree
$45,170 – $126,920-18.4%+2.7% nominal
24First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$74,590
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,550 – $138,020-18.3%+2.8% nominal
25Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$68,980
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,680 – $79,400-18.3%+2.9% nominal
26First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$47,630
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,000 – $72,590-18.1%+3.1% nominal
27Engineers, All Other$115,810
Bachelor's degree
$64,430 – $177,780-18.0%+3.3% nominal
28Insurance Sales Agents$51,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,140 – $128,590-17.9%+3.4% nominal
29Dentists, General$162,360
Doctoral or professional degree
$83,990 – $308,220-17.8%+3.5% nominal
30Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$145,220
Bachelor's degree
$60,100 – $287,180-17.7%+3.6% nominal
31Financial Examiners$78,140
Bachelor's degree
$51,400 – $137,260-17.6%+3.8% nominal
32Sales Managers$136,020
Bachelor's degree
$68,750 – $268,450-17.3%+4.2% nominal
33General and Operations Managers$103,230
Bachelor's degree
$46,190 – $264,620-17.3%+4.2% nominal
34Training and Development Specialists$62,860
Bachelor's degree
$33,250 – $113,870-17.1%+4.3% nominal
35Industrial Engineers$104,560
Bachelor's degree
$67,490 – $168,670-17.0%+4.5% nominal
36Petroleum Engineers$164,860
Bachelor's degree
$89,990 – $283,500-16.1%+5.7% nominal
37Training and Development Managers$124,280
Bachelor's degree
$77,620 – $202,490-15.8%+6.0% nominal
38Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$100,700
High school diploma or equivalent
$63,380 – $177,340-15.7%+6.1% nominal
39First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$81,710
Postsecondary nondegree award
$60,260 – $118,590-15.6%+6.3% nominal
40Pharmacists$138,260
Doctoral or professional degree
$95,950 – $170,170-15.6%+6.3% nominal
41Chemical Technicians$62,580
Associate's degree
$43,970 – $105,650-15.4%+6.5% nominal
42Food Service Managers$60,770
High school diploma or equivalent
$43,310 – $98,570-15.0%+7.0% nominal
43Purchasing Managers$134,670
Bachelor's degree
$86,340 – $212,340-14.8%+7.3% nominal
44Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School$63,330
Bachelor's degree
$51,840 – $74,970-14.7%+7.4% nominal
45Architectural and Engineering Managers$171,370
Bachelor's degree
$120,460 – $277,790-14.5%+7.6% nominal
46Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$72,520
Bachelor's degree
$37,640 – $135,710-14.0%+8.4% nominal
47Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$59,370
Postsecondary nondegree award
$39,140 – $89,120-14.0%+8.4% nominal
48Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$62,330
Bachelor's degree
$50,030 – $74,240-13.8%+8.6% nominal
49Marketing Managers$147,880
Bachelor's degree
$81,820 – $259,200-13.3%+9.1% nominal
50Child, Family, and School Social Workers$55,680
Bachelor's degree
$37,230 – $73,670-13.2%+9.3% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianTexas	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,220	$29,870 – $79,110	-45.0%-30.7% nominal
2	Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,740	$29,110 – $120,050	-40.7%-25.3% nominal
3	EditorsBachelor's degree	$45,950	$29,040 – $105,440	-32.5%-14.9% nominal
4	Solar Photovoltaic InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,240	$37,660 – $73,690	-31.4%-13.6% nominal
5	Pest Control WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,660	$29,550 – $59,630	-30.1%-12.0% nominal
6	Interpreters and TranslatorsBachelor's degree	$47,510	$31,500 – $89,140	-29.6%-11.3% nominal
7	Self-Enrichment TeachersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,140	$24,020 – $71,610	-27.4%-8.6% nominal
8	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$36,510	$22,340 – $78,720	-26.9%-8.0% nominal
9	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$56,390	$40,600 – $75,280	-25.6%-6.3% nominal
10	Industrial Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$62,020	$45,650 – $103,340	-24.9%-5.5% nominal
11	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherAssociate's degree	$48,960	$29,950 – $83,650	-24.1%-4.4% nominal
12	Tax PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,460	$31,110 – $86,950	-23.8%-4.1% nominal
13	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$108,150	$61,390 – $350,500	-23.4%-3.6% nominal
14	Loan OfficersBachelor's degree	$66,370	$34,150 – $135,280	-21.8%-1.6% nominal
15	Chefs and Head CooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56,080	$31,380 – $92,290	-20.9%-0.4% nominal
16	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$75,480	$45,310 – $123,790	-20.7%-0.1% nominal
17	Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,150	$36,230 – $106,230	-20.6%0.0% nominal
18	Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree	$130,270	$82,990 – $195,190	-20.1%+0.6% nominal
19	Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$53,000	$36,650 – $103,120	-19.9%+0.8% nominal
20	SurveyorsBachelor's degree	$61,150	$42,450 – $107,850	-19.7%+1.1% nominal
21	Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,320	$35,080 – $139,750	-19.0%+2.0% nominal
22	Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree	$66,780	$45,440 – $110,570	-18.9%+2.1% nominal
23	Compliance OfficersBachelor's degree	$75,370	$45,170 – $126,920	-18.4%+2.7% nominal
24	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$74,590	$45,550 – $138,020	-18.3%+2.8% nominal
25	Railroad Conductors and YardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$68,980	$45,680 – $79,400	-18.3%+2.9% nominal
26	First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,630	$37,000 – $72,590	-18.1%+3.1% nominal
27	Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$115,810	$64,430 – $177,780	-18.0%+3.3% nominal
28	Insurance Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,180	$30,140 – $128,590	-17.9%+3.4% nominal
29	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$162,360	$83,990 – $308,220	-17.8%+3.5% nominal
30	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersBachelor's degree	$145,220	$60,100 – $287,180	-17.7%+3.6% nominal
31	Financial ExaminersBachelor's degree	$78,140	$51,400 – $137,260	-17.6%+3.8% nominal
32	Sales ManagersBachelor's degree	$136,020	$68,750 – $268,450	-17.3%+4.2% nominal
33	General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree	$103,230	$46,190 – $264,620	-17.3%+4.2% nominal
34	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$62,860	$33,250 – $113,870	-17.1%+4.3% nominal
35	Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree	$104,560	$67,490 – $168,670	-17.0%+4.5% nominal
36	Petroleum EngineersBachelor's degree	$164,860	$89,990 – $283,500	-16.1%+5.7% nominal
37	Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree	$124,280	$77,620 – $202,490	-15.8%+6.0% nominal
38	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$100,700	$63,380 – $177,340	-15.7%+6.1% nominal
39	First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award	$81,710	$60,260 – $118,590	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
40	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$138,260	$95,950 – $170,170	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
41	Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree	$62,580	$43,970 – $105,650	-15.4%+6.5% nominal
42	Food Service ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,770	$43,310 – $98,570	-15.0%+7.0% nominal
43	Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree	$134,670	$86,340 – $212,340	-14.8%+7.3% nominal
44	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree	$63,330	$51,840 – $74,970	-14.7%+7.4% nominal
45	Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree	$171,370	$120,460 – $277,790	-14.5%+7.6% nominal
46	Market Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$72,520	$37,640 – $135,710	-14.0%+8.4% nominal
47	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$59,370	$39,140 – $89,120	-14.0%+8.4% nominal
48	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree	$62,330	$50,030 – $74,240	-13.8%+8.6% nominal
49	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$147,880	$81,820 – $259,200	-13.3%+9.1% nominal
50	Child, Family, and School Social WorkersBachelor's degree	$55,680	$37,230 – $73,670	-13.2%+9.3% nominal

More for Texas

Metro areas in Texas

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Texas

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Texas to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Texas

More for Texas

Metro areas in Texas

By field in Texas

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state