Jobs that pay the biggest premium in Texas
Each occupation's median wage in Texas compared against the national median for the same occupation. Unlike a cost-of-living adjustment — which scales every job in a state by the same constant and so cannot change their order — this genuinely re-ranks, and it shows where Texas pays a real premium. Limited to occupations with at least 1,000 workers in the state.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianTexas | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | vs. national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersPostsecondary nondegree award | $110,080 | $54,520 – $137,410 | +52.0% |
| 2 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersBachelor's degree | $145,220 | $60,100 – $287,180 | +42.5% |
| 3 | Chemical Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,750 | $52,460 – $124,220 | +31.5% |
| 4 | Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree | $55,670 | $23,660 – $64,160 | +29.7% |
| 5 | Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $62,930 | $43,830 – $78,120 | +25.7% |
| 6 | Athletes and Sports CompetitorsNo formal educational credential | $80,510 | $25,340 – $878,190 | +20.7% |
| 7 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $111,390 | $64,850 – $170,800 | +20.5% |
| 8 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $257,850 | $121,130 – $558,550 | +20.5% |
| 9 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $76,640 | $43,500 – $100,450 | +17.2% |
| 10 | Social Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $84,240 | $40,350 – $134,450 | +17.2% |
| 11 | Environmental EngineersBachelor's degree | $123,060 | $76,510 – $177,820 | +14.9% |
| 12 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $170,080 | $90,420 – $222,230 | +14.9% |
| 13 | Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasNo formal educational credential | $77,840 | $47,840 – $121,470 | +14.7% |
| 14 | Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree | $78,000 | $43,900 – $99,640 | +14.1% |
| 15 | Petroleum EngineersBachelor's degree | $164,860 | $89,990 – $283,500 | +13.8% |
| 16 | Health Information Technologists and Medical RegistrarsAssociate's degree | $76,820 | $39,050 – $121,070 | +12.9% |
| 17 | Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $123,280 | $62,130 – $215,640 | +12.8% |
| 18 | Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree | $81,500 | $60,980 – $95,900 | +12.7% |
| 19 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $137,960 | $68,460 – $259,990 | +12.0% |
| 20 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthBachelor's degree | $92,000 | $60,080 – $163,110 | +11.9% |
| 21 | Landscape ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $89,220 | $62,610 – $122,940 | +11.7% |
| 22 | Mechanical DraftersAssociate's degree | $79,380 | $52,000 – $106,080 | +10.9% |
| 23 | Physicians, PathologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $345,830 | $105,560 – $407,800 | +10.7% |
| 24 | ChiropractorsDoctoral or professional degree | $87,520 | $51,850 – $146,080 | +10.5% |
| 25 | Transportation InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,440 | $43,020 – $149,430 | +10.1% |
| 26 | Motorcycle MechanicsPostsecondary nondegree award | $53,330 | $34,360 – $75,470 | +9.8% |
| 27 | Calibration Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $74,100 | $46,170 – $108,120 | +9.3% |
| 28 | Database AdministratorsBachelor's degree | $114,400 | $59,950 – $161,590 | +9.3% |
| 29 | ChemistsBachelor's degree | $99,640 | $58,850 – $170,250 | +9.2% |
| 30 | Skincare SpecialistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $49,250 | $27,390 – $84,180 | +8.6% |
| 31 | Fire Inspectors and InvestigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award | $82,390 | $55,620 – $102,150 | +8.5% |
| 32 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $151,370 | $92,890 – $200,390 | +8.5% |
| 33 | Wellhead PumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $75,860 | $45,090 – $97,640 | +8.4% |
| 34 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $112,410 | $75,810 – $175,210 | +8.0% |
| 35 | Sailors and Marine OilersNo formal educational credential | $55,610 | $38,360 – $95,820 | +7.9% |
| 36 | Crane and Tower OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $73,280 | $42,790 – $93,390 | +7.6% |
| 37 | Slaughterers and Meat PackersNo formal educational credential | $43,160 | $27,270 – $49,910 | +7.6% |
| 38 | Extraction Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $61,290 | $35,770 – $68,970 | +7.5% |
| 39 | Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $60,290 | $40,370 – $79,710 | +7.3% |
| 40 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $129,450 | $76,120 – $210,160 | +7.3% |
| 41 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsBachelor's degree | $123,440 | $82,340 – $180,480 | +7.2% |
| 42 | Airfield Operations SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $60,910 | $39,680 – $148,060 | +7.1% |
| 43 | Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $51,310 | $35,970 – $72,440 | +7.1% |
| 44 | Counselors, All OtherMaster's degree | $54,450 | $30,990 – $77,870 | +7.1% |
| 45 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $105,370 | $51,810 – $169,420 | +6.8% |
| 46 | Rehabilitation CounselorsMaster's degree | $49,990 | $30,070 – $72,800 | +6.7% |
| 47 | Medical TranscriptionistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $42,900 | $22,540 – $49,410 | +6.2% |
| 48 | Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $82,120 | $57,270 – $94,740 | +6.2% |
| 49 | Chemical EngineersBachelor's degree | $132,750 | $86,920 – $210,460 | +6.2% |
| 50 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $106,140 | $76,350 – $135,200 | +5.8% |