15 Highest Paid Careers in Texas

Many people naturally want to find employment in one of the most prosperous states in the USA. According to a recent study, Texas ranks 22nd in the United States regarding opportunity and affordability. It also has a healthy and flourishing economy. By the end of 2021, employment had risen to levels not seen since before the pandemic. 

The healthcare and technology industries offer some of the highest-paid careers in Texas. People wishing to begin top-paid careers in Texas have many fantastic options in these expanding fields.

Learning which industries have the highest earning potential can help you narrow your search for the highest-paid careers in Texas. To assist you in your job search, we’ve compiled a list of Texas’ highest-paying professions in this article.

Why Work in Texas?

With no corporation or individual income tax, Texas is an excellent environment for both companies and employees to earn (and maintain) a living. 

Texas has accounted for 33% of the nation’s net job increases during the last decade. Texas continues to beat the national average on unemployment. 

In August, Texas came in at an impressive 3.4% unemployment, compared to the national average of 4.3%.

What are the highest-paid careers in Texas?

The company that hires you, your level of experience, and your position within the company are all factors that may influence your pay. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the top-paid careers in Texas are; Anesthesiologists, Chief Executive Officers, Surgeons, Family, and General Practitioners, e.t.c

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15 Highest Paid Careers in Texas

#1. Anesthesiologist

Average annual salary: $271,440

Anesthesiologists are medical professionals who focus on relieving surgery patients’ pain. They evaluate patients with other illnesses like chronic pain, give anaesthetics, and track their recovery process. It is one of the highest-paid careers in Texas.

The demand for one-on-one medical treatment may decline due to technological advances, which could slow anesthesiology job growth from 2020 to 2030. However, the most numerous specialty medical provider groups in Texas are anesthesiologists.

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#2. Chief Executive Officer

Average annual salary: $239,060

Next on our list of the highest-paid careers in Texas are CEOs.

A chief executive officer’s primary responsibility is to create plans, strategies, and policies that will aid a company in achieving its goals. 

They are responsible for planning and executing all of an organization’s day-to-day activities and can be found in both the public and private sectors. 

CEOs generally need to have degrees ranging from a bachelor’s to a master’s. Many firms favour candidates with an MBA, even though some top executive positions reward high-level management expertise over a graduate degree. 

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#3. Surgeon

Average annual salary: $234,860

Medical professionals that specialize in surgery are known as surgeons. After an injury, they restore damaged tissue and bones by using a wide range of medical equipment and technology to rectify physical deformities. 

Many surgeons opt to specialize in one area due to the complexity of the human body. 

Orthopaedic surgery deals with the musculoskeletal system; neurosurgical procedures target the central nervous system; cardiovascular operations focus on the cardiovascular system.

In Texas, Surgeons must first complete a bachelor’s degree and then enter medical school. They then finish clinical internships and residency programs that last several years. 

Surgeons often spend an extra 1-3 years in the field, depending on their selected expertise. 

After graduation, surgeons become one of the most paid careers in Texas.

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#4. Family and General Practitioners

Average annual salary: $220,390

General practitioners are one of the highest-paid careers in Texas, they are doctors who diagnose, treat, and help prevent common illnesses and injuries. 

Their role in therapy and diagnosis is to assess a problem’s nature and severity and treat minor and common situations. 

If the injury or condition is severe, the responsibility of a general practitioner is to send the patient to a specialist. A family practitioner is a general practitioner who specializes in caring for entire families.

To enter medical school, physicians and general practitioners must have a bachelor’s degree. They must spend at least 1-3 years satisfying clinical field practice requirements. This time frame may be extended for specialized practitioners.

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#5. Pulmonary Physician

Average annual salary: $201,560

Pulmonary physicians are experts in respiratory disorders and maladies, particularly those involving the lungs. They frequently diagnose and treat illnesses such as asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonology is a subspecialty of internal medicine.

A pulmonologist’s education begins with medical school. They then complete a three-year internal medicine residency at a hospital to gain more experience. Doctors can become certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine after completing their residency.

This is followed by several years of specialised training as a pulmonary medicine fellow. 

Finally, to become board-certified in pulmonology, they must pass specialty tests. 

Some doctors specialize in diseases such as asthma or COPD. Others may specialize in younger or older people. With an annual compensation of over $200k, Pulmonary physicians are one of the highest-paid careers in Texas.

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#6. Psychiatrist

Average annual salary: $195,170

Doctors that specialize in treating mental diseases are known as psychiatrists. They are involved in diagnosing and treating mental diseases, using methods ranging from individual counselling and psychoanalysis to patient hospitalization and medication. 

A psychiatrist communicates with patients regularly and assists them in implementing individualized solutions to their mental health concerns. 

This frequently entails altering behavioral patterns, accepting previous unfavourable experiences, and facilitating improved communication among family members. They are also educated to prescribe proper medication when chemical imbalances induce mental problems. 

Psychiatrists are one of the highest-paid careers in Texas. Texas has one of the highest populations of psychiatrists in the United States, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area. 

For entry into the field, they must earn a bachelor’s degree, medical school, and years of clinical training.

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#7. Obstetrics and Gynaecology Physician

Average annual salary: $194,430

Physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology keep an eye on and manage biological conditions like pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause. 

Some obstetrician-gynaecologists prefer to offer a more extensive range of medical treatments, while others choose to concentrate primarily on the female reproductive system. They might also assist with childbirth and carry out specific sorts of surgery.

Texas has a large concentration of doctors who practice in this field, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston-the Woodlands-Sugar Land regions. 

One of the highest-paid careers in Texas is OB/GYNs as it is in high demand in metro areas of the state like Killeen-Temple. 

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#8. Pilot

Average annual salary: $194,100

Pilots are responsible for the safe functioning of the aircraft as well as the safety of the cabin crew and passengers. They are tasked with making the best judgments for everyone on board and the aircraft’s integrity.

The number of specific roles and responsibilities vary depending on the plane’s size and the hiring organization.

Pilots pursue education in aeronautics and aviation to learn how to fly private and commercial aircraft.

In order to keep their aircraft safe and functioning at all times, they must plan their flight path in accordance with the weather and federal aviation regulations. They must also prepare and repair their aircraft.

Texas is second in the number of airlines and commercial pilots, making piloting one of the highest-paid jobs in the state.

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#9. Dentist

Average annual salary: $184,410

Dentists are doctors that focus on oral health. They diagnose oral disorders, establish treatment programs to preserve or restore oral health, and educate patients on dental hygiene and disease prevention. 

Some dentists may be able to do simple dental procedures and supervise the overall healthy growth and development of teeth in children and teenagers.

Due to the aging U.S. population and mounting evidence connecting dental health to overall wellness, dentists are still in great demand. Dentist employment in Texas is second highest in the nation. 

One of the highest-paying metropolitan areas in Texas for dentists is Longview. Dentistry is one of the best-paid careers in Texas.

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#10. Oral Surgeon

Average annual salary: $184,300

Wisdom tooth extraction, reconstructive dental surgery, soft tissue repair, oral tumour removal, and tooth implants are all treatments performed by oral surgeons. 

Their usual responsibilities include talking with patients about treatment alternatives and performing operations. Oral surgeons operate on patients’ teeth, gums, and jaws.

They undertake oral, head, and neck procedures to treat disorders such as impacted teeth, cleft palate, or cleft lip. Oral surgeons acquire specific training in this field of dentistry. 

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Houston earn among the most in the US. Texas has the sixth greatest number of oral surgeons in the United States, making this profession one of the highest-paid careers in Texas.

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#11. Petroleum Engineer

Average annual salary: $169,760

Petroleum engineers are in charge of designing and developing methods for extracting oil and gas from natural resources deep inside the ground. They also develop new and more effective methods of extracting ancient oil and gas reserves. This field is one of the highest-paid careers in Texas.

Each oil and gas deposit is far underground, creating unique geological formation circumstances for adjacent rocks. Petroleum engineers collaborate with geoscientists to determine the most efficient and cost-effective method of extracting oil or gas in each scenario. 

Texas is, unsurprisingly, the most populated and one of the most lucrative states for petroleum engineers. 

Senior petroleum engineers are sought after by Texas’ many worldwide oil and gas businesses for higher-paying jobs, particularly in Beaumont-Port Arthur and Houston.

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#12. Chief Technology Officer

Average annual salary: $158,010

Chief technology officers (CTOs) oversee an organization’s advanced technological activities. CTOs create, suggest, and implement technology upgrades and apparatus to support the organization’s long-term performance objectives. 

Chief information officers, who often manage CTOs, are also employed by some businesses. This job is quite easy to get and is one of the highest-paid careers in Texas.

Most CTOs require at least a bachelor’s degree and experience in information technology management. CTOs are among the computer and information systems managers with the second-highest employment rates in Texas. 

As businesses increasingly adopt globalization and e-commerce-based business models, these experts’ employment opportunities are expanding quickly.

#13. Lawyer

Average annual salary: $142,730

Lawyers and attorneys defend people, companies, and governments in court. After earning a bachelor’s degree, all lawyers must complete a Juris Doctor degree, whether they choose to work alone or in a group practice. 

Additionally, the Texas Bar Exam is a requirement for lawyers in Texas.

For Texas lawyers, employment prospects are numerous. Texas has the fourth-highest number of attorneys working there, with about 46,000 of them. 

Practising law is one of the best-paid careers in Texas. The Legal industry is a well-paying industry in Houston. 

Legal professionals, from lawyers to judges, often make relatively high incomes due to the specialized skill set they must acquire.

#14. Nurse Practitioner

Average annual salary: $120,680

As a general nurse practitioner, you have the option of starting your practice or working in a number of primary care settings. Along the way, you can also improve your talents and earn more money.

 If they want, general nurse practitioners can subsequently specialize in a field.

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, nurse practitioner jobs in Texas are predicted to expand 45 percent by 2030. 

When you include the ability to work independently, the prospects for this discipline are bright. This discipline is one of the highest careers in Texas.

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the bare minimum requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner, followed by the state-required Nurse Practitioner license.

Hospitals, urgent care, outpatient clinics, private practice, and staffing agencies are among the employers of nurse practitioners.

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#15. Optometrist

Average annual salary: $118,800

Optometrists can work in independent optometrist offices, medical clinics, and health stores to provide accessible vision-related diagnosis, treatment, and referrals. 

Their job is to examine a patient’s eyes and run a battery of tests to find problems with depth perception and clarity.

They evaluate test results to determine the best course of treatment for patients experiencing issues like blurriness or headaches that are brought on by poor eyesight. Optometrists have one of the least stressful but best-paid careers in Texas.

The Texas Optometry Board licenses many types of optometrists and eye care providers, including opticians. 

As a dispensing optician in Texas, you will design, manufacture, and dispense spectacles and contact lenses. To practice, all applicants for licensure must have graduated from a recognized college of optometry and complete certification standards. 

Conclusion

Many often dream of having a better career, a nicer house, longer vacations, and expensive cars. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were that simple? There are a variety of top-paid careers in Texas available to skilled citizens. 

You can earn an above-average income if you have the necessary talents, experience, and education.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage in Texas?

Texas’ minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage in the United States.

Can you find a top-paid job in Texas easily?

With a 3.8 percent unemployment rate, finding top-paid careers in Texas is easy.

What is the most popular job in Texas?

Using data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics database, we found the most popular jobs for fast food and counter workers.

What is the cost of living in Texas?

A family of four estimated monthly costs is $3,762 while that of a single individual is estimated to be around $1,044 per month.

What is the tax rate in Texas?

State sales tax is capped at 8.25 percent, but local taxing entities (cities, counties, special-purpose districts, and transportation authorities) can add 2 percent.

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