There are many careers from which people can choose, but recognizing which industries and occupations lead to good wages and adequate employment opportunities can be challenging.  We are often limited by our personal experiences.

To help you prepare for good job opportunities Workforce Solutions has gathered information on key industries and in-demand occupations in the Gulf Coast region. These resources provide critical information on potential careers including wages/salaries, projected job openings, job growth as well as education and training requirements.

We encourage you to use these tools to make informed decisions about both career and educational opportunities.

Industry Profiles

The following targeted industries are critical to the Houston-Galveston region's economic future. They employ large numbers of workers, are typically fast-growing, and pay above average wages. 

Targeted Industries List (Updated 02/2025) (Excel Version)

Click on an industry cluster below to learn more!

Occupations in Demand

• Career Exploration Tool (2025 update coming soon!) – An interactive dashboard containing essential information about careers in the Gulf Coast Region including job duties, projected growth, annual openings, entry-level and experienced salaries, education requirements, top industries, necessary skills and abilities, and whether an occupation is recognized as High-skill, High-growth/Workforce Solutions scholarship eligible.
• High-Skill, High-Growth Magazine (2025 update coming soon!) This magazine provides easy-to-understand data about jobs that provide the best local career opportunities. Compare data on median wages, average annual job openings, and projected job growth and educational requirements in the greater Houston region.
• High-Skill, High Growth Scholarship Eligible Occupations (Updated 02/2025) - The occupations on this list represent good careers with higher-than-average wages, skill levels and employment opportunities for the next 10 years. All of the occupations on this list are eligible for Workforce Solutions scholarships. (Excel Version)
• Supplemental Resource: High-Skill High-Growth Occupations and Alternate SOCs (Updated 02/2025) – This is a resource to aid in the identification of occupations whose Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes have changed in recent years by providing current and previous SOC codes associated with Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast's High-skill High-Growth Occupations. (Excel Version)
• Where the Jobs Are (Updated 02/2025) - A comprehensive list of occupations projected to offer the largest number of employment opportunities now and in the immediate future.  The Where the Jobs Are is a fantastic resource to use if you are interested in locating occupations that present the greatest employment opportunities. (Excel Version)
• Opportunity Occupations (Updated 02/2025) - The occupations on this list represent good careers with higher-than-average wages, skill levels and employment opportunities for the next 10 years. Unlike the High-skill High-growth Scholarship Eligible List, the Opportunity includes occupations requiring advanced degrees that are NOT eligible for Workforce Solutions scholarships. This list is for informational purposes only.  (Excel Version)

Occupation Profiles

The Occupation Profiles present an in-depth look at our high-skill, high-growth occupations.  Each profile goes beyond simple labor market information to offer a more detailed view of each occupation, to include suggested high school coursework, local training providers and major employers who hire individuals within respective occupations.

Click on an occupation below to learn more!

Additional Resources for Individuals

There are many career exploration resources from local, state and national organizations. We have gathered a full list of some of the most requested. To view, click here.

Examples:

Apprenticeship Finder
An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training and specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Workers earn a salary while gaining valuable skills.  

PetroChem Works 
This site informs students and prospective candidates about education and career opportunities in the Gulf Coast's thriving petrochemical industry.

Dream It. Do It. Southeast Texas 
Dream It. Do It. Learn about manufacturing careers in our region.

Steel Toe Pro 
Learn about the many specialized occupations in the construction industry. Craft jobs involve fabrication, assembly, and installation of components and materials in buildings, industrial facilities, roads and infrastructure, shipyards, and the oil patch.

UpSkill Houston 
A place where you can learn about the many well-paid, rewarding careers that require less than a four-year college degree-and the steps to achieving them.

Texas Career Check
Texas Career Check offers information on hundreds of job titles, pay information, and future projected jobs, this interactive website can help answer your education and career exploration questions.

O-Net Interest Profiler 
The O*NET Interest Profiler can help you find out what your interests are and how they relate to the world of work. You can identify what you enjoy most then decide what kinds of careers you might want to explore.

Additional Resources for Educators

• When I Grow Up - The When I Grow Up curriculum offers career lessons, activities and resources for educators, parents and young people (Grades Pre-K - 12). The curriculum uses fun and exciting activities to expose young people to a variety of high-skill, high-growth career possibilities and important labor market information.

  The High School curriculum has a number of lessons which focus on skills identification, career exploration and employability and job search skills.  The When I Grow Up Workbook (Digital, PDF) not only illuminates many of these lessons in a fun, interactive way, but it also helps students translate their interests and values into potential career options.

  There are a number of other resources to explore within the curriculum, such as, Texas Reality Check, The Hard Facts, My Next Move and the My Future, My Way Workbook.

  Elementary School Curriculum		Middle School Curriculum		High School Curriculum

• Occupational Posters - Complete with labor market information and descriptions about each occupation, posters can be printed in flyer size or as large as 22x34. Coupled with descriptions and important labor market information, posters provide a clearer picture of each of our targeted occupations.

Authorization to Work documents checklist