Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Texas 2026 (With Salaries, Growth & How to Get Hired)
Texas boasts a booming economy driven by oil and gas, healthcare, tech hubs like Austin, and renewable energy. For job seekers, career changers, and recent grads, 2026 BLS projections and OES data highlight lucrative opportunities across sectors. Whether you're eyeing six-figure healthcare roles in Dallas, tech gigs in Austin, or blue-collar trades in El Paso, this guide delivers salary comparisons by city (Houston, Austin, Dallas, etc.), entry-level paths, remote options, and actionable steps to break in.
Quick Answer: The Highest Paying Job in Texas 2026
The single highest paying job in Texas for 2026 is Neurosurgery, with average annual salaries reaching $749,140 (Doximity via TAG MedStaffing). Cardiologists follow closely at $587,360, thriving in Houston's medical centers. These physician specialists outpace others due to high demand, procedural volume, and Texas's large population.
Rounding out the top 3:
- #2: Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs): $181,000–$256,000 (BLS/Nexford), with 38% growth--the fastest in Texas.
- #3: Petroleum Engineers: $130,850+ (WRS/BLS), fueled by Houston's oil/gas dominance.
Sources: BLS OES 2026 projections, TAG MedStaffing, Nexford University, Doximity. Salaries include bonuses; top earners exceed these with experience.
Key Takeaways: Top Paying Jobs at a Glance
| Rank | Job | Avg Texas Salary (2026) | Growth Rate (BLS) | Top Cities | Texas vs US Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurosurgeons/Physicians | $587K–$749K | 3% | Houston, Dallas | +15% higher |
| 2 | Cardiologists/Surgeons | $450K–$689K | 3% | Houston, Fort Worth | +12% |
| 3 | Nurse Anesthetists | $181K–$256K | 38% | Dallas, Houston | +20% |
| 4 | CEOs/CFOs (Energy/Exec) | $250K–$500K+ | 4–9% | Houston | +18% |
| 5 | Petroleum Engineers | $130K+ | 3–8% | Houston | +25% |
| 6 | Software Engineers (Tech) | $104K–$150K | 15–25% | Austin | +10% |
| 7 | Dentists/Specialists | $200K–$300K | 3% | Fort Worth | +14% |
| 8 | Wind/Solar Engineers | $100K–$132K | 45–50% | El Paso, Houston | +22% |
| 9 | Investment Bankers | $234K | 7% | San Antonio | +16% |
| 10 | Electricians (Top Tier) | $95K–$150K | 9% | Fort Worth, El Paso | +30% (no degree) |
Sources: BLS, Nexford, Resume Genius, TAG. Texas salaries often 10–30% above US avg due to no state income tax and industry booms.
Top 5 Healthcare Jobs (Physicians, Surgeons, Nurse Anesthetists, Dentists)
Healthcare dominates Texas's top earners, with 24,200 annual openings through 2032 (BLS/Nexford). Physicians and surgeons lead at $587K–$749K (TAG/Doximity), including neurosurgery ($749K), cardiology ($587K), and pediatric surgery ($450K, Indeed).
- Nurse Anesthetists: $181K–$256K + $31K bonus (BLS/Nexford/o3schools). 38% growth; Dallas CRNAs earn $100K–$180K entry, scaling fast. Mini case: A Dallas CRNA at a major hospital hits $256K via overtime/shifts.
- Orthopedic/Thoracic Surgeons: $679K–$689K.
- Dentists/Specialists: $200K–$300K in Fort Worth, 3% growth.
Demand surges as Texas's population ages; entry via med school (8–12 years) or nursing BSN + CRNA cert (ACU Online).
Oil, Gas & Energy Sector Leaders (Petroleum Engineers, Wind/Solar, Executives)
Texas's energy sector pays big: Petroleum Engineers average $130,850 (WRS), with Houston CEOs/CFOs at $250K–$500K+. Traditional oil/gas holds steady (3–8% growth), but renewables explode--wind turbine techs at 50% growth (Resume Genius/BLS), solar engineers $100K–$132K.
Houston execs in oil/gas top lists; wind/solar roles in West Texas (El Paso) offer 45–50% growth (Astute/BLS). Compare: Oil engineers ($130K, stable) vs. renewables (higher growth, $102K–$120K avg).
Tech & IT Stars (Austin Software Engineers, Cybersecurity, Data Scientists)
Austin's tech scene shines: Software Engineers $104K–$150K (Splunk), cybersecurity $100K+ with 700K US shortages. Data scientists see 20–30% salary jumps. Remote-friendly; mini case: Texas remote software engineer lands $120K at Splunk via targeted LinkedIn apps (Jobright).
Growth: 15–25% (CompTIA/BLS), twice national avg.
Blue-Collar & Trade Powerhouses (Electricians, Plumbers, Manufacturing/Logistics)
No degree? Top earners hit $95K–$200K+ (BlueCollarRecruiter). Electricians: $85K–$150K (4–5 yr apprenticeship); power plant operators $94K–$180K. El Paso manufacturing/logistics: $80K–$120K; Fort Worth plumbers $90K–$160K. Wind techs: 50% growth.
Accessible via apprenticeships--faster than degrees.
City-by-City Salary Breakdown: Where to Target Your Job Search
| City | Top Jobs | Avg Salary Boost vs State | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Execs, Petroleum Eng, Cardiologists | +20% ($150K–$749K) | Oil/gas hub |
| Austin | Software Eng, IT/Cyber | +15% ($120K–$150K) | Tech boom |
| Dallas | Nurse Anesthetists, Surgeons | +18% ($200K–$256K) | Healthcare |
| San Antonio | Investment Bankers | +16% ($234K) | Finance |
| El Paso | Manufacturing, Wind Techs | +10% ($95K–$130K) | Logistics/renewables |
| Fort Worth | Dentists, Electricians | +12% ($150K–$300K) | Trades/health |
Texas cities avg 10–25% above national; CRNA range $181K–$256K reflects experience/location (Nexford/BLS).
Entry-Level & High School/College Grad Opportunities vs Established Careers
Entry-Level (High School/Grads): Trades/apprenticeships (4–5 yrs, $75K–$120K start, 9–50% growth). Pros: Quick entry, no debt. Cons: Physical demands.
Established: Med/tech/exec (BS +10yrs, $200K+). Pros: Higher ceiling. Cons: 8–15 yrs investment.
Checklist: Grads--start apprenticeships (electrician/wind tech); college--BS Nursing (ACU) to CRNA.
| Path | Time to $100K+ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Trades | 4–5 yrs | 45–50% |
| Med/Tech | 8–12 yrs | 3–38% |
Best Paying Remote Jobs for Texas Residents 2026
Texas residents snag $100K+ remote tech roles (Jobright/RemoteJobAssistant): Software eng, cybersecurity, customer success. Target 30–40 employers (Splunk, etc.) with tailored resumes--boost conversion 2–3x. Steps: LinkedIn Texas postings, data-backed negotiation.
How to Land One of Texas's Highest Paying Jobs: Step-by-Step Checklist
- Education/Training: BS Engineering (petroleum), BSN + CRNA cert (ACU), 4-yr electrician apprenticeship.
- Certifications: CRNA, wind tech, CompTIA cyber.
- Networking: LinkedIn (Texas oil/healthcare groups), 30 targeted apps.
- Negotiate: Use BLS ranges (e.g., $181K–$256K CRNA); quote Texas data. Mini case: Career changer lands remote $120K tech via Jobright blueprint.
Oil/Gas vs Renewables vs Healthcare: Which Sector Pays Best in 2026?
| Sector | Top Salary | Growth | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil/Gas | $130K–$500K (Petro/Exec) | 3–8% | Stable, Houston demand | Volatile prices |
| Renewables | $100K–$132K (Wind/Solar) | 45–50% | Explosive jobs (BLS) | Emerging, physical |
| Healthcare | $181K–$749K | 3–38% | Recession-proof | Long training |
Healthcare wins peak pay; renewables lead growth (IEA/BLS). Oil steady in Texas.
FAQ
What are the top 10 highest paying jobs in Texas 2026?
Neurosurgeons ($749K), Cardiologists ($587K), CRNAs ($256K), CEOs ($500K+), Petroleum Engineers ($130K+), etc. (see table).
Which city in Texas has the best paying tech jobs?
Austin: Software engineers $120K–$150K (Splunk).
What are the highest paying blue-collar jobs in Texas without a degree?
Electricians/plumbers $95K–$200K+ via apprenticeships (Resume Genius).
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Dallas Texas 2026?
$181K–$256K + bonuses (BLS/Nexford); entry $100K–$180K.
What’s the job growth for petroleum engineers in Texas?
3–8% (BLS), strong in Houston oil/gas.
Are there high-paying remote jobs available to Texas residents in 2026?
Yes, $100K+ tech/cyber roles; target 30–40 employers (Jobright).