If you are searching for work in the Texas area, particularly in the Greater Houston metro, the outlook is becoming more and more favorable. While the sentiment for job seekers last year was admittedly bleak, job numbers are increasing and there is immediate opportunity in a number of prevailing and recently emerging industries—if you know where to look.
It’s well-known that everything is bigger in Texas, but over the past few years, that hasn’t translated into steady job growth. Recent job reports point to the on-going decline in the number of open or available jobs across the nation. In the Greater Houston area, certain sectors have been hit harder than others. That’s not to say that there aren’t a few industries resembling a diamond in the rough.
Hot in the Houston Market
With that being said, living and working as a Houstonian has its perks. Besides the diversity in industry and sheer number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered there, in areas such as overall cost of living, utilities, and transportation, Houston came in below the national average. Texas experienced the highest national population growth with record numbers flocking to Houston and Dallas suburbs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Additionally, even in the wake of the 2015 oil crash, the unemployment rate in Houston has averaged well-below the national average. Real-time data aggregated from Career Builder indicates that the top industries hiring right now include: Central Freight and Trucking, General Medical and Surgical Hospitals and Nursing Care Facilities; i.e. skilled nursing professionals.
The Top 10 Houston Area Jobs
What if your skills or qualifications don’t match one of the top three industries? Not to panic! There are a number of booming industries and companies in need of qualified professionals right now.
Customer Service Representatives
Avg. salary: $47,959
Nationwide average: $44,242
Suggested title searches: Customer service representative, sales representation, administrative assistance, or customer services
First-line Supervisor of Office and/or Administration
Average salary: $60,297
Nationwide average: $56,957
Suggested title searches: Office Manager, Supervisor, Assistant Training Supervisor, Client Service Manager, Office Administrator
Finance Positions
Average salary: $82,247
Nationwide average: $78,849
Suggested title searches: Accountant, Financial Analyst, Controller, Staff Accountant, Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, Finance Manager
Stock Clerks
Average salary: $13.49/hr
Nationwide average: $12/hr
Suggested title searches: Cashier, Shipping and Receiving Clerk, Inventory Clerk, Stock Clerk, Warehouse Clerk
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Average salary: $44,204
Nationwide average: $37,375
Suggested title searches: Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, Legal Secretary, Secretary, Executive Administrative Assistant
Computer Usage Support Specialists
Average salary: $55,650
Nationwide average: $58,950
Suggested title searches: Repair Technician, Active, Analyst, Application Support Geoscientist, Application Support Specialist
First-line Supervisor of Retail Sales
Average salary: $13.67/hr
Nationwide average: $14/hr
Suggested title searches: Sales Associate, Assistant Store Manager, Retail Store Manager
General and Operations Managers
Average salary: $68,159
Nationwide average: $65,793
Suggested title search: General Manager, Operations Manager, Store Manager, Manager, District Manager
Industrial Engineers
Average salary: $89,292
Nationwide average: $77,367
Suggested title search: Project Engineer, Process Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Quality Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Electrical Engineer
Retail Sales Persons
Average salary: $58,171
Nationwide average: $59,882
Suggested title search: Sales Associate, Sales Manager, Assistant Manager, Retail Sales Associate, Accessories Manager
To learn about specific job opportunities in Houston Country, Texas or Houston Street in New Haven, Connecticut, connect with Yoh jobs.