A popular tourist destination that drew more than 10 million visitors in 2022, Fort Worth is known for its rodeos, cowboys and Texas Longhorns (the famous cows with wide-stretched horns). With over 230 days of sunshine, affordable housing and excellent transport connections, it’s no wonder it’s also one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas and a magnet for new talent.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top industries in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area are trade, transportation and utilities (901,000 workers), professional and business services (805,800 workers) and education and health services (496,200 workers). Major employers in Fort Worth include big names like Facebook and American Airlines, and education levels are high, thanks to an impressive six major universities within an hour’s drive.

Randstad research has found salaries run close to national averages in the north Texas metroplex, so we’ve provided figures from the mid range of our data. Read on for our pick of the top 12 jobs in Fort Worth.

1. MIG welder

With a high demand in the transportation and energy industries, MIG (metal inert gas) welding is an extremely marketable skill in the Fort Worth job scene. In 2022, the city updated its Economic Development Strategic Plan to target automotive, aerospace, oil and gas operations and other sectors critical to regional growth. MIG welders fit into that picture and can expect to earn an average of $19 to $23 per hour.

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2. millwright

The City of Fort Worth is also focusing on electric power distribution and alternative energy. Experts in complex machinery, millwrights help power plants and other industrial facilities run efficiently. Contrary to what some may believe, expanded automation in many facilities is actually increasing work for industrial machinery mechanics and millwrights. This field is expected to grow 14 percent in the decade to 2031, significantly higher than the 5 percent national average for all jobs, with wages hovering around $27 per hour.

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3. petroleum engineer

Petroleum engineering is one of the hottest jobs in Fort Worth’s oil and gas sector. An engineer’s role is to spearhead the extraction process, collaborate with other engineers, maintain machinery and document the work. Texas employs more petroleum engineers (11,000) than any other U.S. state, and nationally this field is growing fast, with a projected increase of 8 percent between 2021 and 2031. Average annual salaries range from $116k to $149k.

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4. systems analyst

IT professionals remain in demand as technology has become critical for organizational effectiveness in every Fort Worth industry. As a systems analyst, you’re responsible for ensuring your company’s computer systems are functioning at their best. You’ll troubleshoot complex problems, find solutions and recommend courses of action. Expected growth in this field is a solid 9 percent in the decade leading up to 2031. The mean annual salary for systems analysts in Fort Worth is $112k.

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5. digital marketer

You can help businesses of all sizes succeed putting your creative skills to work as a digital marketer. The role typically involves writing website copy, blog posts and social media content, then analyzing the results to figure out what’s working and what’s not. In Fort Worth, digital marketers work everywhere from local colleges and universities to manufacturing companies, healthcare facilities and more. Salaries start at around $61k, rising to $208k for senior positions.

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6. HR manager

As an HR manager responsible for all levels of the hiring process (recruiting, interviewing and onboarding new employees), you’ll offer guidance to C-suite executives on best practices and changing policies. And there’s no shortage of opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, which ranks fourth in the U.S. for employment levels in this role. Projections for the field remain strong, with 7 percent growth expected in the 10 years to 2031. Salaries average between $116k and $140k.

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7. accountant

Companies in the DFW metroplex employ more than 36,000 accountants and auditors. Essential to organizations within any industry, accountants analyze financial data and make crucial business decisions, so if you’re a numbers person, consider one of these in-demand jobs in Fort Worth. Accountants can expect to make between $69k and $89k annually.

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8. clinical research associate

Fort Worth’s life sciences industry is thriving, with 100-plus health sector businesses and agencies, six medical headquarters and hubs for global giants like Smith+Nephew and Alcon. The area’s robust healthcare infrastructure and the inclusion of biopharmaceuticals in the city’s growth plan combine to create exciting Fort Worth jobs for clinical research associates. These analytical thinkers plan, organize and run clinical trials to assist in developing new drugs. Typical salaries are $65k to $103k.

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9. drug safety specialist

Specialists in drug safety are experts in quality control and work closely with clinical research associates and others to navigate patients’ experiences with adverse effects of new products. Among other responsibilities, drug safety specialists triage cases, plan follow up and document the process. Average salaries for this role are between $69k and $88k.

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10. superintendent

As one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, Fort Worth is experiencing exploding population growth that’s expected to reach 1.2 million by 2040. To accommodate all the families with school-aged children, area schools need strong leadership. Jobs in Fort Worth include openings for superintendents who manage school districts in the same way CEOs run businesses, overseeing the budget and liaising with the board. School superintendents can expect to make an average of $156k annually.

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11. database administrator

SQL-server database administrators are vital for all of Fort Worth’s universities, healthcare systems and corporate offices that need assistance implementing and managing databases, securing the data and monitoring it. Database administration is a growing field, projected to increase by 9 percent between 2021 and 2031. In this role, you can expect to earn between $88k and $106k.

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12. administrative assistant

Administrative assistants often act as an organization’s first point of contact. In this role, you’ll manage multiple tasks at once, keeping executives on schedule and taking menial tasks off their hands. With more than 40,000 roles in the DFW metropolitan area, it’s a great career option if you’re looking for jobs in Fort Worth. Administrative assistant earnings range from $34k to $43k.

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