Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
65 Highest Paying Jobs in Texas (2026)
The highest-paying job in Texas is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state-aggregated median salary of $255,829 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 4 BLS-tracked metros. Across all 65 occupations the average median is $110,241, with 40 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Texas's average cost-of-living index is 99, so the average median equates to $111,355 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 65 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Texas — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Texas's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Texas to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Texas
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Texas's 4 BLS-tracked metros.
State median $255,829 · 1,160 jobs · top metro: Dallas ($321,260)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Texas earn $255,829 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Dallas) pays $321,260 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $254,590 · 3,100 jobs · top metro: Austin ($263,070)
Family Medicine Physicians in Texas earn $254,590 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Austin) pays $263,070 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $173,323 · 58,920 jobs · top metro: Austin ($176,990)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Texas earn $173,323 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Austin) pays $176,990 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $166,105 · 57,290 jobs · top metro: Dallas ($169,200)
Financial Managers in Texas earn $166,105 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Dallas) pays $169,200 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $161,739 · 1,610 jobs · top metro: Dallas ($242,160)
Pediatricians in Texas earn $161,739 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Dallas) pays $242,160 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $159,377 · 45,480 jobs · top metro: Dallas ($168,510)
Lawyers in Texas earn $159,377 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Dallas) pays $168,510 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $156,764 · 6,060 jobs · top metro: Austin ($188,190)
Dentists in Texas earn $156,764 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Austin) pays $188,190 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $154,823 · 35,320 jobs · top metro: Austin ($164,920)
Marketing Managers in Texas earn $154,823 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Austin) pays $164,920 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $141,912 · 17,700 jobs · top metro: Austin ($151,290)
Pharmacists in Texas earn $141,912 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Austin) pays $151,290 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $141,581 · 57,810 jobs · top metro: Austin ($151,760)
Sales Managers in Texas earn $141,581 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Austin) pays $151,760 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 65 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $255,829 | Dallas | $321,260 | 1,160 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $254,590 | Austin | $263,070 | 3,100 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $173,323 | Austin | $176,990 | 58,920 |
| 4 | Financial Manager | Finance | $166,105 | Dallas | $169,200 | 57,290 |
| 5 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $161,739 | Dallas | $242,160 | 1,610 |
| 6 | Lawyer | Legal | $159,377 | Dallas | $168,510 | 45,480 |
| 7 | Dentist | Healthcare | $156,764 | Austin | $188,190 | 6,060 |
| 8 | Marketing Manager | Management | $154,823 | Austin | $164,920 | 35,320 |
| 9 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $141,912 | Austin | $151,290 | 17,700 |
| 10 | Sales Manager | Management | $141,581 | Austin | $151,760 | 57,810 |
| 11 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $140,299 | Houston | $142,110 | 18,240 |
| 12 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $136,162 | San Antonio | $140,160 | 6,950 |
| 13 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $133,845 | Dallas | $137,900 | 10,520 |
| 14 | Software Developer | Technology | $132,515 | Austin | $134,120 | 129,940 |
| 15 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $132,478 | Dallas | $133,550 | 4,350 |
| 16 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $131,817 | Houston | $134,560 | 17,760 |
| 17 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $131,365 | Austin | $134,100 | 12,930 |
| 18 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $131,099 | Houston | $134,050 | 680 |
| 19 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $130,909 | Austin | $145,360 | 16,380 |
| 20 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $126,734 | Dallas | $140,790 | 3,200 |
| 21 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $122,856 | Austin | $126,110 | 39,770 |
| 22 | Data Scientist | Technology | $121,180 | Dallas | $127,750 | 19,640 |
| 23 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $120,516 | Austin | $129,470 | 46,200 |
| 24 | Database Architect | Technology | $120,164 | Austin | $123,830 | 5,020 |
| 25 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $119,471 | Houston | $130,270 | 8,040 |
| 26 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $115,612 | Dallas | $122,520 | 38,370 |
| 27 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $115,124 | Houston | $125,350 | 17,180 |
| 28 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $113,658 | Houston | $119,600 | 295,160 |
| 29 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $108,357 | Austin | $122,050 | 9,530 |
| 30 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $107,044 | Houston | $111,690 | 24,410 |
| 31 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $106,868 | Dallas | $107,780 | 14,950 |
| 32 | Web Developer | Technology | $106,286 | Austin | $119,950 | 4,620 |
| 33 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $103,839 | Houston | $105,430 | 420 |
| 34 | Statistician | Technology | $102,945 | Houston | $104,330 | 1,100 |
| 35 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $102,750 | Austin | $105,480 | 12,300 |
| 36 | Network Architect | Technology | $102,457 | Austin | $104,520 | 25,440 |
| 37 | Management Analyst | Management | $102,163 | Austin | $106,600 | 38,620 |
| 38 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $102,012 | Dallas | $103,210 | 15,610 |
| 39 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $100,550 | Dallas | $102,240 | 4,600 |
| 40 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $100,325 | Austin | $106,290 | 13,220 |
| 41 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $99,593 | Dallas | $101,420 | 185,170 |
| 42 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $99,334 | Houston | $101,660 | 23,580 |
| 43 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $98,680 | San Antonio | $101,430 | 7,730 |
| 44 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $98,648 | Houston | $100,950 | 27,320 |
| 45 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $98,596 | Houston | $104,320 | 4,540 |
| 46 | Architect | Engineering | $94,648 | Houston | $97,590 | 6,730 |
| 47 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $93,719 | Dallas | $106,380 | 9,660 |
| 48 | Web Designer | Technology | $90,746 | Dallas | $96,740 | 3,790 |
| 49 | Accountant | Finance | $83,118 | Houston | $85,090 | 86,690 |
| 50 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $79,339 | Houston | $82,990 | 4,030 |
| 51 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $72,954 | Austin | $80,460 | 47,790 |
| 52 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $72,412 | Dallas | $75,930 | 7,450 |
| 53 | Writer/Author | Creative | $70,319 | Houston | $76,120 | 1,800 |
| 54 | Loan Officer | Finance | $69,958 | Dallas | $73,930 | 15,180 |
| 55 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $68,591 | Austin | $69,470 | 18,500 |
| 56 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $64,796 | Dallas | $65,890 | 72,550 |
| 57 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $63,922 | Dallas | $65,070 | 79,000 |
| 58 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $62,200 | Austin | $65,060 | 10,410 |
| 59 | Paralegal | Legal | $61,985 | Austin | $64,140 | 22,930 |
| 60 | Plumber | Trades | $61,217 | Austin | $62,810 | 31,410 |
| 61 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $60,242 | Houston | $61,350 | 21,430 |
| 62 | Electrician | Trades | $59,013 | Austin | $60,390 | 54,660 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $55,087 | Austin | $59,040 | 31,190 |
| 64 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $49,831 | Houston | $50,940 | 44,130 |
| 65 | Carpenter | Trades | $49,291 | Austin | $50,260 | 23,860 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Texas
Texas's pay distribution is shaped by energy (Houston), tech (Austin), corporate headquarters (Dallas), and a fast-growing services economy across all four major metros. Cost of living near the national average means nominal pay translates well to actual purchasing power — particularly for technical and management roles.
$Texas tracks $4 BLS-published metros covering approximately $1,981,130 workers across the $65 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Obstetrician/Gynecologist top spot reflects Dallas pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Texas typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Texas, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Texas is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state median salary of $255,829. The top-paying metro for this role is Dallas at $321,260 median. The role employs roughly 1,160 workers across Texas.
40 of the 65 BLS-tracked occupations in Texas have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 65 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Texas is $110,241. The figure is employment-weighted across 4 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $111,355.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Texas, this page aggregates Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Texas.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Texas, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.