Of the more than 585,000 Texans that comprise the state’s tech sector, nearly 142,000 work in the Houston metro.

However, Houston’s tech sector has grown minimally of late, as in 2015 the industry’s employment base expanded by only 0.2 percent in comparison to 2014, according to data from the Computing Technology Industry Association.

  • Last year the amount of tech workers in Houston increased by only 0.2 percent.
  • Those employed within the Houston tech industry last year earned an annual average wage of roughly $105,000.
  • The "creative sector" represents an industry on the rise in Houston.

Of the more than 585,000 Texans that comprise the state’s tech sector, nearly 142,000 work in the Houston metro.

However, Houston’s tech sector has grown minimally of late, as in 2015 the industry’s employment base expanded by only 0.2 percent in comparison to 2014, according to data from the Computing Technology Industry Association.

The good news, those employed within the Houston tech industry last year earned an annual average wage of roughly $105,000, making these individuals prime candidates for homeownership – if they already don’t own.

Engineering and IT service-related jobs account for more than 81,000 of the nearly 142,000 tech jobs in the metro. Additionally, the tech industry accounts for nearly six percent of Houston’s total private sector employment base.

It will be interesting to see if Houston’s tech industry grows at all this year, as the metro is projected to add only 22,000 total jobs.  *the volume of job postings for tech occupations during the fourth quarter of last year rose by 1.5 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Another industry on the apparent rise in Houston is the “creative sector.” A recent study commissioned by Houston Arts Alliance, predicted that from 2014 to 2019 growth among creative occupations will ise by 10 percent.

The study defined creative-sector industries as those where a creative or artistic element is an integral part of product delivery or a service. Examples include graphic design, record production, architecture, photography, advertising, film/video production, writing, and editorial jobs in both creative industries and more traditional businesses.

The Texas tech trio

Last year, Texas added nearly 14,000 tech jobs, which equated to 2.4 percent year-over-year employment growth within the sector. At the same time the average tech wage in the state rose to nearly $100,000, with IT and engineering services accounting for the highest volume of tech jobs.

As imagined, the overall increase in tech jobs is the result of growth that’s occurring within the state’s other three major metros.

Austin and Dallas saw employment growth of 3.4 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively, last year. The average tech industry wage in Austin stood at $103,600. In Big D, the average tech worker earns $105,400.

The San Antonio metro saw a smaller increase in its tech workforce, a 2 percent year-over-year rise. Entering 2016, the metro’s tech sector employed nearly 35,000 people, with the average employee earning $80,000.

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×