Texas boasts one of the most powerful and diversified economies in the United States, driven by world-class industries including energy, technology, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, and finance. With major corporate hubs in Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio, the state offers unmatched earning potential across both established sectors and emerging tech fields. Texas also stands out for its business-friendly environment, no state income tax, fast-growing talent pipeline, and strong demand for highly skilled professionals, making it a leading destination for career growth and wealth creation.

Highest-paying Jobs in Texas – Value In Numbers

1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

CEOs in Texas lead large corporations across energy, technology, finance, and healthcare—industries central to the state’s economy. Their responsibilities include strategic planning, organizational growth, major financial decisions, and stakeholder communication. In Texas, CEOs particularly influence oil & gas giants, Fortune 500 headquarters, and rapidly scaling tech firms in Austin. Strong leadership, vision, and business acumen are essential. Compensation comes from base salary, bonuses, and long-term incentives, often reaching multi-million-dollar levels.

2. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

CFOs oversee financial strategy, capital allocation, budgeting, and risk management for major Texas corporations. They play a central role in energy firms, private equity groups, large hospital systems, and technology companies. Their financial insight drives company stability and growth, especially during market cycles common in energy and real estate sectors. Strong command of accounting, corporate finance, and capital markets is required. Texas CFOs often receive high bonuses tied to company performance and financial efficiency.

3. Chief Operating Officer (COO)

COOs manage daily operations, workforce performance, and execution of company strategy. In Texas, they are especially vital in energy infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare systems, and growing tech companies. They ensure efficient processes, supply chain effectiveness, and organizational scalability. With many Texas industries operating on large physical footprints and complex operational frameworks, COO expertise is critical. Compensation includes a strong base salary, operational bonuses, and long-term incentives tied to productivity and profitability.

4. Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

CTOs direct technology vision and digital transformation. In Texas, they lead innovation in sectors like semiconductors, energy technology, cybersecurity, enterprise software, aerospace engineering, and cloud computing. Austin’s “Silicon Hills” ecosystem and Houston’s energy-tech crossover create demand for tech leadership. CTOs oversee engineering teams, technology roadmaps, cybersecurity, and emerging software platforms. Pay reflects tech-driven revenue growth, often combining salary, performance bonuses, and stock-based compensation tied to product success and innovation milestones.

5. Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

CMOs oversee clinical strategy, patient safety, and medical standards in large hospital systems—critical in major hubs like Houston’s Texas Medical Center. They guide physician performance, healthcare compliance, clinical technology adoption, and patient-care improvements. A strong mix of medical expertise, executive leadership, and regulatory knowledge is required. Their compensation reflects the scale of Texas healthcare networks, with incentives tied to patient outcomes, clinical efficiency, and hospital system performance.

6. Chief Investment Officer (CIO)

CIOs direct investment strategy for asset-heavy organizations like pension funds, university endowments, private equity firms, and wealth management companies. Texas has a major finance presence in Dallas and energy-finance centers in Houston. CIOs oversee portfolios, risk management, capital allocation, and investment research. Their decisions materially impact billions in assets, requiring market expertise and economic forecasting. Total pay often includes large bonuses tied to fund performance and successful market positioning.

7. Chief Legal Officer / General Counsel

General Counsel in Texas manage corporate legal strategy, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and high-stakes litigation risk. They are vital in energy, real estate, finance, and healthcare industries where regulation is intensive. They work with executives, guide legal teams, and manage outside law firms. Strong corporate law backgrounds and negotiation skills are essential. Texas GC compensation is heavily driven by company size, legal exposure, and deal activity, often including equity incentives.

8. VP of Exploration & Production (Oil & Gas)

This role is unique to Texas’ dominant energy sector. VPs of E&P lead upstream exploration, drilling projects, field development strategies, and major capital investments. They manage geoscientists, engineers, and field teams to maximize oil and natural gas output. Expertise in reservoir management, drilling tech, and energy markets is crucial. Compensation reflects high operational stakes and production volumes, with bonuses linked to asset performance, efficiency, and commodity pricing cycles.

9. Vice President of Engineering (Tech/Energy)

VPs of Engineering lead technical execution for large engineering teams, either in tech (Austin and Dallas) or energy infrastructure (Houston). They drive product development, systems design, research, and technology deployment. Engineering leadership in Texas often spans software, industrial automation, semiconductor manufacturing, and oilfield technology. Compensation includes high salaries and performance-based incentive packages, rewarding efficiency, innovation, and engineering excellence that support large-scale business goals.

10. Vice President of Sales

VPs of Sales scale revenue across fast-growing industries like tech, pharmaceutical sales, manufacturing, and energy services. They manage sales strategy, forecasting, pricing, and enterprise client relationships. Texas offers strong opportunities due to booming business-to-business markets, expanding tech hubs, and healthcare networks. Their earnings often include lucrative variable compensation tied to sales quotas, making this one of the highest-earning commercial roles for experienced sales executives.

11. Surgeon

Surgeons in Texas earn top incomes due to high demand, world-class hospitals, and large patient populations. Specialties like neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and orthopedics command premium compensation. Surgeons perform complex procedures, manage critical care, and often run private practices or surgical centers. Texas’ medical hubs in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio create exceptional earning environments. Income typically includes base clinical pay, performance bonuses, and surgical center profit participation.

12. Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists are essential for surgical safety, managing anesthesia administration, critical monitoring, and pain control. In Texas, they work in major hospitals, private practices, and surgical centers. Demand remains strong across Houston’s medical institutions and expanding suburban hospital networks. Their skill set requires precision, rapid decision-making, and patient safety management. Compensation includes high base pay and bonuses tied to procedure volume and clinical productivity.

13. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

These specialists conduct complex facial and dental surgeries, including trauma repair, corrective jaw surgery, and advanced implant procedures. Many own private practices or surgical clinics, increasing earning potential. Texas’ growing population fuels demand, especially in metro areas. Training depth, surgical expertise, and private-practice ownership can push compensation toward the upper tier. Business operations, reputation, and volume significantly influence income.

14. Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health disorders, often working in hospitals, private clinics, and telemedicine networks across Texas. With increasing demand for behavioral health services and psychiatric specialties like addiction or child psychiatry, earnings remain high. Many psychiatrists operate private practices, providing flexibility and strong income potential. Their compensation reflects expertise, patient load, and specialization, especially in metro markets with shortages of mental-health providers.

15. Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN)

OB/GYNs provide women’s health services, prenatal care, and deliver babies. In Texas’ rapidly expanding cities, maternity care demand is substantial. They perform surgeries, manage complex pregnancies, and often work in hospital networks or private clinics. Compensation is driven by patient volume, surgical responsibilities, and on-call schedules. Texas’ healthcare growth and large hospital systems enable strong earning opportunities for OB/GYN specialists.

16. Emergency Medicine Physician

Emergency physicians manage urgent and life-threatening conditions in high-pressure environments. Texas’ busy trauma centers, rural emergency facilities, and urban hospitals maintain strong demand. These specialists treat diverse cases, requiring rapid decision-making and broad medical expertise. Compensation includes shift-based pay, bonuses, and sometimes tele-emergency consult work. Urban emergency rooms and Level 1 trauma centers offer premium earning potential.

17. Radiologist

Radiologists interpret medical imaging including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. They play a crucial diagnostic role across Texas hospitals and specialty imaging centers. With increasing imaging needs and tele-radiology growth, demand remains strong. Their earnings reflect specialized training, high accuracy requirements, and productivity-based compensation models. Radiologists often receive additional income through private practice partnerships or imaging center ownership stakes.

18. Dermatologist

Dermatologists diagnose skin disorders, perform cosmetic procedures, and conduct surgical dermatology work. Cosmetic services like laser treatments, injectables, and cosmetic surgery significantly enhance earnings. Texas dermatologists often operate private practices, benefiting from strong population growth and aesthetic-treatment demand. Their income blends insurance reimbursements with high-margin elective services, offering stable and lucrative revenue streams.

19. Cardiologist

Cardiologists specialize in heart conditions, treating cardiovascular disease—a leading health concern in Texas. They perform diagnostic procedures, manage chronic heart illness, and conduct interventions depending on specialty. Major hospital systems and private cardiology groups offer strong earning potential. With aging demographics and high rates of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiologists in Texas maintain strong clinical volumes and compensation tied to procedure load and patient care demand.

20. Gastroenterologist

Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat digestive system conditions, performing endoscopic procedures and managing chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Their services are in high demand due to population growth and increased screening needs for conditions like colon cancer. Many operate private clinics or GI centers, driving strong earnings from procedures and consults. Texas hospital networks and private-practice opportunities support significant compensation tied to procedural volume and specialist expertise.

Texas Top 100 Highest-Paying Jobs — Table Format

Rank	Role	Estimated TC
1	Chief Executive Officer (Energy/Tech/Finance)	$300K–$5M+
2	Chief Financial Officer	$300K–$4M+
3	Chief Operating Officer	$300K–$4M+
4	Chief Technology Officer	$300K–$3.5M+
5	Chief Medical Officer	$400K–$3M+
6	Chief Investment Officer	$500K–$5M+
7	Chief Legal Officer / General Counsel	$350K–$3M+
8	VP of Exploration & Production (Energy)	$400K–$2.5M+
9	VP of Engineering (Tech/Energy)	$300K–$1.5M+
10	VP of Sales (Tech/Pharma)	$250K–$1M+
11	Surgeon (Neuro/Ortho/Cardio)	$450K–$800K+
12	Anesthesiologist	$400K–$700K+
13	Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon	$400K–$700K+
14	Psychiatrist	$300K–$600K+
15	OB/GYN	$300K–$500K+
16	Emergency Medicine Physician	$300K–$450K+
17	Radiologist	$350K–$700K+
18	Dermatologist	$350K–$600K+
19	Cardiologist	$400K–$750K+
20	Gastroenterologist	$400K–$800K+
21	Urologist	$350K–$700K+
22	Oncologist	$350K–$650K+
23	Pediatrician (Specialist)	$250K–$400K+
24	Hospital Administrator / CEO	$250K–$1M+
25	Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)	$180K–$300K
26	Pharmacist	$130K–$200K
27	Podiatrist	$150K–$300K
28	Optometrist (Practice Owner)	$150K–$300K
29	Physician Assistant (Specialty)	$130K–$200K
30	Nurse Practitioner (Specialty)	$120K–$180K
31	Petroleum Engineer	$150K–$400K+
32	VP of Land / Land Manager	$180K–$450K+
33	Petrophysicist	$160K–$350K+
34	Geophysicist (Senior)	$160K–$350K+
35	Reservoir Engineer	$160K–$350K+
36	Drilling Engineer	$150K–$350K+
37	Major Projects PM (LNG/Refining)	$180K–$350K+
38	Senior Process Engineer (Chemical)	$150K–$250K+
39	Pipeline Engineer	$150K–$250K+
40	Renewables Project Director	$150K–$300K+
41	Energy Trader	$200K–$700K+
42	Director of Information Security / CISO	$180K–$350K+
43	Principal Software Engineer	$160K–$300K+
44	Semiconductor Architect	$170K–$300K+
45	Engineering Manager (Software/Hardware)	$150K–$260K
46	Systems Engineering Manager	$150K–$250K
47	Machine Learning Engineer	$150K–$250K
48	Data Science Manager	$150K–$260K
49	Cloud Architect	$140K–$240K
50	DevOps Manager	$140K–$240K
51	IT Director	$150K–$250K
52	Senior Hardware Engineer	$140K–$230K
53	Network Architect	$130K–$220K
54	Solutions Architect (Cloud)	$130K–$220K
55	Investment Banking MD	$400K–$2M+
56	Private Equity / VC Partner	$500K–$5M+
57	Portfolio Manager	$300K–$3M+
58	Chief Compliance Officer	$200K–$600K+
59	Actuary (Fellow)	$160K–$300K
60	Tax Director	$160K–$250K
61	Management Consultant (Partner)	$300K–$800K+
62	Law Firm Partner	$250K–$1M+
63	M&A Attorney	$200K–$400K+
64	Senior Corporate Counsel	$180K–$300K
65	FP&A Director	$150K–$250K
66	Aerospace Engineering Manager	$150K–$250K
67	Senior Systems Engineer	$130K–$200K
68	Senior Flight Test Engineer	$130K–$220K
69	Senior Aerospace Project Engineer	$130K–$220K
70	Principal Materials/Structures Engineer	$140K–$230K
71	Major Airline Pilot (Captain)	$200K–$400K+
72	Senior Air Traffic Controller	$150K–$200K
73	Sales Director (Tech/Pharma)	$150K–$350K+
74	Enterprise Account Executive (SaaS)	$180K–$400K+
75	Construction Project Manager	$120K–$200K+
76	Real Estate Development Director	$150K–$350K+
77	CRE Broker (Top Performer)	$200K–$1M+
78	Marketing Director	$130K–$220K
79	Supply Chain Director	$140K–$230K
80	HR Director	$130K–$220K
81	Talent Acquisition Director	$120K–$200K
82	University Dean	$150K–$250K
83	Tenured Professor (STEM/Business)	$120K–$200K
84	PR / Communications Director	$120K–$200K
85	Senior Government Consultant	$120K–$180K
86	Principal Electrical Engineer	$140K–$220K
87	Senior Mechanical Engineer	$120K–$200K
88	Civil Engineering Manager	$120K–$200K
89	Principal Structural Engineer	$130K–$210K
90	Senior Chemical Process Engineer	$130K–$210K
91	Biomedical Engineering Director	$130K–$210K
92	Environmental Engineering Manager	$120K–$200K
93	QA/QC Manager (Manufacturing/Pharma)	$120K–$180K
94	Nuclear Engineer	$130K–$220K
95	Mining & Geological Engineer	$120K–$200K
96	Dentist / Orthodontist (Owner)	$200K–$500K+
97	Commercial Pilot (Corporate Jet)	$120K–$250K
98	Elevator & Escalator Technician	$100K–$180K
99	Power Plant Manager	$120K–$200K+
100	Construction Superintendent (Industrial)	$120K–$200K

Closing

From oil-and-gas executives and surgeons to AI engineers and private equity partners, Texas continues to produce high-income career paths across multiple industries — offering financial opportunity without the tax burden or housing costs of coastal tech markets. As the state invests further in renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, AI innovation, and aerospace defense, earning potential will remain strong. For ambitious professionals seeking high compensation, stability, and long-term growth, Texas stands as one of America’s most rewarding job markets and a dominant force in future economic expansion.