Technology & IT · Houston, TX
None of the eleven IT occupations BLS tracks is as concentrated in metro Houston as in the U.S., and information security analysts are the scarcest, at a location quotient of 0.52. Careerscape is a national agency whose industry-specialist technology recruiters work remotely and search for Houston employers across Texas and beyond.
BLS data
The location quotient column is the one to watch. Every value is under 1.0, so Houston has fewer people in each of these occupations, relative to its size, than the nation.
| Occupation | Jobs in metro | Median pay · vs. U.S. | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | 22,940 | $129,440−5% | 0.64 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 2,420 | $98,690−5% | 0.61 |
| Information Security Analysts | 2,110 | $126,370−2% | 0.52 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | 6,330 | $101,430+2% | 0.95 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 8,510 | $113,440+7% | 0.77 |
| Data Scientists | 4,060 | $106,750−11% | 0.73 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 13,090 | $172,160−2% | 0.92 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | 12,840 | $59,250−4% | 0.85 |
| Computer Network Architects | 2,200 | $124,900−7% | 0.58 |
| Database Administrators | 1,090 | $116,030+11% | 0.74 |
| Web Developers | 1,060 | $89,040−4% | 0.71 |
Systems administrators (0.95) and IT managers (0.92) come closest to the national share, and 13,090 people work as computer and information systems managers in the metro. Security analysts, network architects and QA testers are the scarcest. Above-U.S. pay for analysts and database administrators reflects demand from large ERP and data estates; below-U.S. pay for data scientists may make relocation offers harder to land. Source: BLS wage survey, May 2025, all industries. Jobs and median annual pay for the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, all employers, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025). “Vs. U.S.” compares with the national median. Concentration is the BLS location quotient: above 1.0 means the job makes up a bigger share of local employment than it does nationally.
Texas comparison
Location quotients for the same occupations in the three largest Texas metros, from the same BLS survey. A value of 1.0 equals the U.S. share. This is where Houston employers often look when the local pool runs dry.
| Occupation | Houston LQ | Dallas-Fort Worth LQ | Austin LQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software developers | 0.64 | 1.52 | 2.28 |
| Information security analysts | 0.52 | 1.43 | 1.51 |
| Computer network architects | 0.58 | 1.26 | 1.13 |
| Data scientists | 0.73 | 1.48 | 1.71 |
| Computer systems analysts | 0.77 | 1.48 | 1.60 |
| Network and computer systems administrators | 0.95 | 1.43 | 1.92 |
Austin and Dallas candidates face no state-line change in employment law or income tax when moving to Houston, which makes in-state relocation simpler than recruiting from California or the Northeast. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, metro area estimates.
Where IT sits
Houston is spread out, and IT roles follow the parent industry. Companies are named to describe the market, not as clients.
A west Houston business district along I-10 and Eldridge Parkway. ConocoPhillips, BP America and Citgo are among the energy companies based there.
Chevron's annual report lists its principal executive offices at 1400 Smith Street.
The Ion, a former Sears building redeveloped by Rice University's management company, opened in 2021 as a hub for startups, corporate innovation teams and investors.
Hospital systems and research institutions with year-round demand for clinical systems analysts, integration engineers and security staff.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise's headquarters is at 1701 East Mossy Oaks Road in Spring, and ExxonMobil is also based in Spring.
Home of NASA's Johnson Space Center and the aerospace contractors that support it, with demand for systems, software and network engineers.
Hiring realities
Points that come up in Houston technology searches more often than in other metros. Current to October 2026; this is general information, not legal advice.
Security and network engineers for refineries, pipelines and chemical plants work on operational technology, where uptime and safety come first. Candidates with only corporate IT experience may need time to adjust, so say in the posting which environment the role supports.
IT technicians who need unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities need a TSA Transportation Worker Identification Credential. TSA advises allowing 30 to 45 days, so start it with the offer.
HB 150, effective September 1, 2025, created the Texas Cyber Command to lead the state's cybersecurity efforts. It adds one more employer competing for experienced security staff in Texas.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise completed its acquisition of Juniper Networks on July 2, 2025. Networking candidates from either company may have changed roles since, so ask about their current scope.
For security, data science and network architecture, budget for relocation or remote work from the start. The thinner the local pool, the more a search depends on candidates who live elsewhere in Texas.
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FAQ
Houston has fewer information security analysts relative to its workforce than the nation. BLS counts 2,110 in the metro with a location quotient of 0.52, the lowest of any IT role in our table, and a median wage of $126,370 against $129,180 nationally. Many employers also need operational technology experience. Searches often extend to Austin, Dallas or remote candidates. See the cybersecurity analyst pay guide.
It depends on the role. In May 2025 BLS data, Houston pays above the U.S. median for computer systems analysts ($113,440), database administrators ($116,030) and systems administrators ($101,430). It pays below for software developers ($129,440 against $135,980), data scientists and network architects. A national pay band may overpay for some roles and underpay for others.
Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth are the natural first stop. Both have far higher concentrations of software, security and data talent, and a move within Texas changes no state employment law or income tax. Remote and hybrid arrangements widen the pool further. Careerscape's technology recruiters search nationally for Houston roles.
A Transportation Worker Identification Credential is a TSA-issued ID required for unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities, including many port terminals. IT and network technicians who support those sites need one. TSA lists a $128 fee for new applicants, a five-year validity and 30 to 45 days to process.
No. Careerscape is a national agency with a remote team. Our technology recruiters specialize by field and work Houston searches by phone and video, then share a pre-screened shortlist in a private Employer Portal. We offer direct hire, contract staffing, contract-to-hire and executive search for IT leaders.
We search the metro, the rest of Texas and beyond, and send a pre-screened shortlist. Learn about our technology staffing or compare metros on the technology overview.
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