Where the Jobs Are: The Top 10 Fastest-Growing Careers in Central Texas

Everything's bigger in Texas and that includes job growth. If you are trying to decide on a career field that is growing, these are the hottest jobs in Texas right now.

The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs in Texas

Texas has long been a powerhouse for job creation, but the types of careers driving the state's economy are shifting rapidly. Driven by a massive influx of technology companies, an aging population, and a changing energy grid, the Texas job market is experiencing unprecedented growth in highly specialized fields.

Record May For Texas Jobs

According to the Office of the Governor, the month of May saw a record number of jobs created. Data shows the May labor market in Texas added jobs at a faster annual rate than the U.S. over the last twelve months. May labor market data from the Texas Workforce Commission shows Texas reached a new high of 14,419,200 total nonfarm jobs after a gain of 17,800 jobs in May.

The Hottest Careers in Texas

According to the latest data from the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor, the fastest-growing careers in Texas are heavily concentrated in renewable energy, healthcare, and data science. Below are the top ten careers leading the charge in percentage growth, and why they are popular careers.

The Top 10 Fastest-Growing Careers in Texas

The state's rapid growth spans multiple sectors, but high-tech and specialized roles are experiencing the most intense demand. Below you will find a plain-English breakdown of what these ten jobs entail, without all the confusing corporate jargon.

1. Wind Turbine Service Technicians

What they do: They are the mechanics of the sky. They climb up the massive wind turbines you see driving through Central Texas to inspect them, fix electrical or mechanical breakdowns, and keep the giant blades spinning.

64% growth (Requires a postsecondary non-degree certificate)

2. Nurse Practitioners

What they do: Think of them as a blend between a registered nurse and a doctor. They examine patients, diagnose illnesses, order medical tests, and prescribe medication. Because they can do many of the same things a doctor does, they often act as primary care providers in clinics.

60% growth (Requires a Master's degree)

3. Data Scientists (53% growth)

What they do: They are digital detectives who look for patterns in massive piles of computer data. For example, a data scientist at a retail company might analyze millions of past customer purchases to predict exactly what inventory a store needs to stock up on before a big holiday.

53% growth (Requires a Bachelor's degree)

4. Computer and Information Research Scientists (52% growth)

What they do: These are the inventors and architects of the tech world. Instead of just writing everyday software, they design entirely new computing technologies, figure out how to make computers process information faster, and invent new ways for humans to interact with artificial intelligence.

52% growth (Requires a Master's degree)

5. Information Security Analysts (48% growth)

What they do: They are the digital security guards for a company’s computer networks. Their entire job is to anticipate, block, and investigate cyberattacks and hackers to make sure sensitive company and customer information doesn't get stolen.

48% growth (Requires a Bachelor's degree)

6. Software Developers (47% growth)

What they do: They are the builders of the digital world. They write the actual code that creates the computer programs, mobile apps, and operating systems we use every day, making sure the buttons work, and the layout does what it’s supposed to do.

47% growth (Requires a Bachelor's degree)

7. Statisticians (46% growth)

What they do: They are math experts who figure out what numbers are actually trying to tell us. They design surveys, gather data, and use mathematical formulas to calculate risks, judge the success of a new product, or help companies make smart, calculated decisions based on probability.

46% growth (Requires a Master's degree)

8. Operations Research Analysts (43% growth)

What they do: They are professional problem-solvers for business logistics. They use data and math to help companies run as efficiently as possible, like figuring out the absolute fastest routes for a delivery fleet to take or determining how to schedule airport staff to keep wait times as short as possible.

43% growth (Requires a Bachelor's degree)

9. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (41% growth)

What they do: They are professional "app breakers." Before a new piece of software or a mobile app goes live to the public, these analysts spend their days trying to find glitches, bugs, and errors so the developers can fix them before customers get frustrated.

41% growth (Requires a Bachelor's degree)

10. Restaurant Cooks (40% growth)

What they do: They are the heart of the kitchen. They prepare ingredients, chop vegetables, grill meats, and plate dishes exactly to order while working to keep up with the rush of a busy dining room or a packed drive-thru line.

40% growth (Requires no formal educational credential)