These Are The 10 Best Jobs In Texas For Recent College Grads

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Fastest Growing Jobs In Texas

Source: Wikipedia

As a recent college graduate in 2026, you might be asking yourself: what comes next? The answer for many is straightforward: securing a job. However, with the evolving job market, it’s crucial to find positions that not only offer employment but also align with your career aspirations.

To assist you in this journey, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best jobs for recent graduates in Texas, based on current labor market trends and growth projections. Here’s what you need to know:

It’s understandable to question the inclusion of certain roles, like computer systems analysts. However, this list is based on robust data that reflects the current state of the job market and its future trajectory. Let’s delve deeper into how we arrived at these recommendations.

How We Determined the Best Entry-Level Jobs in Texas

We’ve engaged with numerous recent graduates to understand their priorities in selecting their first job. Typically, their considerations include:

Availability of jobs
Location
Salary
Growth potential
Work-life balance

Fortunately, various data sources provide insights into these factors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers salary data by location, while each state’s Department of Labor tracks job growth statistics. Additionally, ONet Online provides details on job requirements.

By merging data from these sources, we created a comprehensive database of professions. Specifically, we focused on:

Location quotient: a measure of how prevalent a job is in a particular state.
Jobs in Texas requiring a college degree.
Average annual entry-level salaries.
Projected industry growth over the next decade.

Narrowing our dataset to professions that require a bachelor’s degree, we ranked 49 jobs based on the criteria mentioned.

We calculated a “Job Score” by averaging the rankings for each job, ultimately ranking them from 1 to 49, with 1 being the most favorable.

One Job, Please

Graduating from college can be daunting, but it’s also a time filled with opportunities. With numerous career paths available, this list serves as a guide to navigate your options in the Texas job market effectively.

Detailed List Of The Best Entry-Level Jobs In Texas For Recent College Grads

Rank	Job	Growth %	Entry Wage	Jobs in 2024
1	Computer Systems Analysts	32.11%	$53,490	77,430
2	Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	26.67%	$78,970	11,020
3	Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	41.67%	$34,310	2,040
4	Sales Engineers	20.77%	$60,580	11,280
5	Database Administrators	23.69%	$43,340	14,200
6	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists	29.35%	$40,810	16,000
7	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	24.46%	$35,790	20,000
8	Credit Counselors	30.86%	$27,180	4,240
9	Web Developers	36.6%	$35,140	13,810
10	Technical Writers	23.23%	$41,250	5,040
11	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	20.75%	$49,920	38,820
12	Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists	21.89%	$29,090	2,060
13	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	27.14%	$31,760	28,250
14	Credit Analysts	19.11%	$38,740	8,600
15	Cost Estimators	23.9%	$34,720	20,270
16	Computer Network Support Specialists	19.56%	$38,540	22,130
17	Management Analysts	24.45%	$48,420	51,610
18	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	14.55%	$66,540	14,330
19	Airfield Operations Specialists	18.75%	$32,600	1,140
20	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	20.61%	$39,030	32,180
21	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	22.05%	$26,800	4,760
22	Interior Designers	21.19%	$31,400	7,150
23	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians	30.7%	$25,110	15,200
24	Occupational Health and Safety Technicians	14.67%	$29,010	4,220
25	Community Health Workers	25.64%	$24,440	4,900
26	Human Resources Specialists	17.1%	$33,350	51,290
27	Surveyors	11.95%	$30,170	5,340
28	Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors	30.3%	$26,800	5,290
29	Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	23.58%	$26,210	9,800
30	Insurance Sales Agents	21.77%	$25,990	51,580
31	Computer Programmers	0.39%	$42,460	20,820
32	Industrial Engineers	13.15%	$56,710	16,180
33	Self-Enrichment Education Teachers	27.39%	$18,630	27,070
34	Multimedia Artists and Animators	17.14%	$34,100	4,580
35	Psychiatric Technicians	23.85%	$21,130	4,050
36	Residential Advisors	23.72%	$16,970	9,440
37	Film and Video Editors	29.06%	$17,600	1,510
38	Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians	20.0%	$19,740	1,080
39	Rehabilitation Counselors	22.11%	$25,240	6,020
40	Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	13.93%	$17,860	3,190
41	Social and Human Service Assistants	23.92%	$18,510	19,220
42	Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products	18.39%	$26,820	1,030
43	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	-2.2%	$32,360	4,010
44	Commercial and Industrial Designers	9.78%	$36,910	1,010
45	Clergy	16.47%	$28,210	59,770
46	Recreation Workers	22.78%	$16,560	22,420
47	Directors, Religious Activities and Education	15.75%	$29,570	12,640
48	Coaches and Scouts	18.42%	$17,610	16,200
49	Advertising Sales Agents	7.77%	$19,250	9,430

In conclusion, the job market is continually evolving, and with the right information, you can navigate it successfully. The positions listed here not only offer promising opportunities for recent graduates but also reflect the dynamic landscape of employment in Texas. As you embark on your career journey, consider these roles as stepping stones to a fulfilling professional life.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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