Fastest declining jobs in Texas, 2024–34
Ranked by projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034 in Texas, most negative first. A declining projection does not mean a job is disappearing — most of these still hire steadily to replace people who leave.
Where these projections come from: State projections are produced by Texas's own workforce agency and collected by Projections Central — the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes projections only at the national level. Methodology varies by state, so these are not directly comparable with the national figures. Wages remain BLS OEWS.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Projections: Projections Central, 2024–34
| # | Occupation | MedianTexas | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Growth 2024–34 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $76,640 | $43,500 – $100,450 | -20.4% |
| 2 | Telephone OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $41,250 | $34,550 – $56,900 | -20.3% |
| 3 | Grinding and Polishing Workers, HandNo formal educational credential | $38,170 | $28,430 – $49,370 | -20.3% |
| 4 | Switchboard Operators, Including Answering ServiceHigh school diploma or equivalent | $33,620 | $24,140 – $44,100 | -18.5% |
| 5 | Data Entry KeyersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,880 | $28,020 – $56,920 | -17.8% |
| 6 | TelemarketersNo formal educational credential | $34,290 | $23,420 – $51,520 | -16.8% |
| 7 | Structural Metal Fabricators and FittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,490 | $36,470 – $70,950 | -15.6% |
| 8 | News Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsBachelor's degree | $48,470 | $28,990 – $95,830 | -14.1% |
| 9 | Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc JockeysBachelor's degree | $49,050 | $22,990 – $157,830 | -13.5% |
| 10 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,510 | $55,500 – $127,710 | -13.2% |
| 11 | Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble SettersNo formal educational credential | $39,630 | $35,990 – $44,460 | -12.0% |
| 12 | Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $37,390 | $24,440 – $56,210 | -11.5% |
| 13 | Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related MaterialsNo formal educational credential | $29,680 | $22,560 – $38,430 | -11.3% |
| 14 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $53,840 | $37,110 – $106,740 | -9.6% |
| 15 | Power Distributors and DispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,890 | $75,990 – $126,920 | -9.4% |
| 16 | Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $46,670 | $38,250 – $73,930 | -9.2% |
| 17 | Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $39,060 | $26,750 – $55,390 | -9.2% |
| 18 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $42,250 | $29,380 – $52,260 | -9.2% |
| 19 | Order ClerksSome college, no degree | $44,280 | $33,230 – $61,690 | -9.0% |
| 20 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,020 | $26,610 – $56,930 | -8.7% |
| 21 | Payroll and Timekeeping ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $54,090 | $36,040 – $75,850 | -8.3% |
| 22 | Broadcast TechniciansAssociate's degree | $49,440 | $29,580 – $97,330 | -8.1% |
| 23 | Carpet InstallersNo formal educational credential | $43,610 | $31,510 – $81,220 | -7.9% |
| 24 | Graders and Sorters, Agricultural ProductsNo formal educational credential | $36,090 | $29,280 – $42,910 | -7.6% |
| 25 | File ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $39,480 | $27,380 – $61,800 | -7.5% |
| 26 | Meter Readers, UtilitiesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $43,030 | $31,030 – $60,360 | -7.5% |
| 27 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $49,660 | $35,600 – $75,730 | -7.0% |
| 28 | Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsBachelor's degree | $49,490 | $38,640 – $63,790 | -6.8% |
| 29 | Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,560 | $34,710 – $59,830 | -6.8% |
| 30 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $42,720 | $34,340 – $57,370 | -6.5% |
| 31 | Engine and Other Machine AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $47,210 | $35,710 – $65,050 | -6.4% |
| 32 | New Accounts ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,040 | $35,910 – $54,920 | -5.6% |
| 33 | TellersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,050 | $30,360 – $47,770 | -5.0% |
| 34 | Office Machine Operators, Except ComputerHigh school diploma or equivalent | $37,060 | $24,990 – $51,350 | -5.0% |
| 35 | Fish and Game WardensBachelor's degree | $85,980 | $55,430 – $98,070 | -4.9% |
| 36 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,480 | $34,940 – $69,760 | -4.9% |
| 37 | Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor VehiclesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,730 | $32,640 – $68,410 | -4.8% |
| 38 | Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $52,670 | $44,870 – $60,550 | -4.5% |
| 39 | Chemical Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,750 | $52,460 – $124,220 | -4.2% |
| 40 | Helpers--Production WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $36,610 | $28,420 – $47,840 | -3.8% |
| 41 | Cooks, Fast FoodNo formal educational credential | $28,280 | $20,800 – $39,140 | -3.1% |
| 42 | Bill and Account CollectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,710 | $30,730 – $60,130 | -2.8% |
| 43 | Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,320 | $31,110 – $64,430 | -2.6% |
| 44 | Floral DesignersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $35,080 | $26,900 – $45,240 | -2.3% |
| 45 | Tool and Die MakersPostsecondary nondegree award | $55,470 | $36,350 – $85,500 | -2.0% |
| 46 | Prepress Technicians and WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $38,410 | $30,590 – $57,210 | -1.9% |
| 47 | Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $41,690 | $24,440 – $76,160 | -1.8% |
| 48 | Dental Laboratory TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $46,330 | $31,160 – $73,400 | -1.7% |
| 49 | Logging Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $62,890 | $32,280 – $72,770 | -1.2% |
| 50 | Library TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $38,640 | $28,840 – $49,210 | -1.1% |