top 12 jobs and growing industries in austin, texas.

Corporate yet quirky, laid-back yet in the lead. The Texan capital’s slogan may be “Keep Austin Weird,” but there’s nothing bizarre about why first-time job seekers and seasoned professionals alike come here to work and settle. Employment opportunities are plentiful at a diverse range of big corporations, startups and public sector agencies. After work, there’s park recreation, lake boating, great eats and a world-renowned live music scene.

As the state capital, Austin is home to many corporate and regional headquarters. It’s no surprise, then, that office and administrative jobs contribute the highest proportion of total employment, at 14.5 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With global names like Tesla, Samsung and BAE Systems here, Austin also leads in advanced manufacturing and technology. And there’s a lively digital media industry, fueled by a well-educated talent pool and city investment in collaborative labs and spaces.

Here’s the lowdown on the 12 hottest roles and remote jobs in Austin, plus those hiring at entry level. Randstad research suggests salaries in Austin are slightly lower than the national average, so we’ve provided estimates from the mid range of our data.

Finance is another top area to explore if you’re keen on a corporate job in any of Austin’s many industries. Nearly 89,000 employees in the city work in business and financial operations, and accounts payable clerks are sought for their numerical and interpersonal skills. Annual salaries in this position, which may hire for remote roles, range from $42k to $48k.

Manufacturing is a key industry in Central Texas. Around 2,000 regional manufacturers employ over 75,000 workers, producing products like semiconductors, medical devices and food and beverage. Forklift operators are vital in keeping the supply chain moving, working in warehouses and other sites to lift and move materials. In this role, you could earn an hourly wage of $18 to $20.

Austin is a leading center for data operations, thanks to its location in the Central time zone, advanced telecommunications infrastructure and low risk of natural disasters. Leading names in the sector include Dell Technologies and Oracle. In this field, network engineers use their expertise to install, design and maintain networks, drawing an annual salary of $102k to $136k.

Looking for a high-speed IT job? Austin is emerging as a center for automotive engineering, with electric vehicle giant Tesla’s global headquarters here. In addition, there are numerous parts manufacturing companies, plus tech firms developing new solutions for navigation, tracking and autonomous vehicles. They’re all in need of software engineers, who earn an average annual salary of between $85k and $111k.

Creativity and tech converge in Austin. Over 70,000 professionals work across the creative and digital media technology industry, and the city is known for the annual SXSW event, which draws tens of thousands of creatives to conferences, networking events and exhibitions. As a UX designer, you would work on games, apps, education tech and any other digital products to ensure that users can interact easily with them. Annual salaries in this role range from $102k to $135k.

Texas is well established as a national leader in aviation and aerospace, and Austin is taking that reputation to the next frontier, with an eye on space technology. Leveraging assets like UT Austin-affiliated research centers and its vibrant tech ecosystem, the city aims to make a mark in areas including satellites and spacecraft components. As a procurement specialist in this futuristic sector, you would purchase materials for manufacturing, earning an estimated $41k to $48k.