The average hourly wage in Texas is $35.31 for private-sector workers, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data from February 2026. That figure covers all private industries statewide and sits close to the national average, though what you actually earn depends heavily on your industry, occupation, and experience level. Texas has no state income tax, which means that $35.31 stretches further in take-home pay than the same wage in most other states.
How the Statewide Average Breaks Down
The $35.31 figure is a mean across all private-sector jobs, which means high earners in oil and gas, tech, and healthcare management pull the number up. Many common occupations pay well below that average. Medical assistants, for example, earn closer to $18.69 per hour, and pharmacy technicians average around $20.67. If you work in a mid-skill role and wonder why your paycheck doesn’t match the statewide average, this is why: averages blend six-figure tech managers with entry-level retail and food service workers into a single number.
A more useful way to think about wages is by occupation or industry, which gives you a realistic picture of what specific jobs actually pay.
Wages in Texas’s Biggest Industries
Oil and Gas
Texas dominates U.S. oil production, and the pay range across this sector is enormous. Petroleum engineers earn a mean of $74.66 per hour, which works out to roughly $155,000 a year. Wellhead pumpers, who monitor and maintain production equipment, average $34.84. Field-level roles pay less: derrick operators average $27.59, service unit operators $28.25, and roustabouts (general laborers on drilling sites) earn about $22.36. These figures reflect May 2023 BLS data, so current rates may be somewhat higher, but the relative spread between engineering and field roles is consistent over time.
Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the largest employers in the state, anchored by major hospital systems in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and other metro areas. Nurse practitioners average $62.51 per hour, while registered nurses earn $43.37. Medical and health services managers, who oversee departments or entire facilities, average $57.79. On the support side, pharmacy technicians make about $20.67 and medical assistants $18.69. The gap between clinical and administrative support roles is significant, and credentials are the main dividing line. An RN license or a nurse practitioner degree roughly doubles or triples the hourly rate of a medical assistant position.
Technology
Tech roles in Texas consistently rank among the highest-paid occupations in the state. Computer and information systems managers top the list at $81.68 per hour, translating to about $170,000 annually. Software developers average $60.52, information security analysts $57.44, and computer systems analysts $55.41. Data scientists earn around $52.40. The growth of tech hubs in Austin, Dallas, and Houston has made these roles increasingly available outside of traditional coastal markets, and many of these positions now offer remote or hybrid arrangements that let workers earn tech wages while benefiting from Texas’s lower cost of living in certain metros.
How Texas Compares to the Federal Minimum
Texas does not set its own minimum wage. Instead, the state adopts the federal minimum wage by reference, which is $7.25 per hour. That rate has not changed since 2009 and represents the legal floor for most workers. Tipped employees can be paid a lower base rate as long as their tips bring total compensation to at least $7.25 per hour.
In practice, very few Texas employers pay the bare minimum. Market competition, particularly in metro areas, has pushed starting wages for fast food, retail, and warehouse jobs well above $7.25 in most parts of the state. But the legal minimum remains relevant for workers in small towns or niche roles where employer options are limited.
Why Take-Home Pay Matters More Than the Hourly Rate
Texas is one of a handful of states with no personal income tax. That means a worker earning $35.31 per hour keeps more of each paycheck than someone earning the same rate in a state that taxes income at 5% or more. On a $70,000 annual salary, the absence of state income tax can mean an extra $3,000 to $5,000 in your pocket compared to states with moderate tax rates. This doesn’t erase differences in property taxes or sales taxes, which tend to be higher in Texas, but for most wage earners the net effect is still favorable.
What Shapes Your Hourly Wage in Texas
Industry is the biggest factor, as the data above shows, but geography matters too. Workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin metro areas generally earn more than those in rural parts of the state, though their cost of living is also higher. Experience and credentials create large gaps even within the same field: an entry-level coder and a senior software developer can differ by $30 or more per hour.
Education plays a predictable role. Roles requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher cluster above the statewide average, while positions requiring a high school diploma or less tend to fall below it. Professional certifications, especially in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades, can push hourly rates significantly higher without requiring a four-year degree. A registered nurse with a two-year associate degree still earns over $43 per hour, well above the state average.