Government Jobs in Texas: Employers & Pay

5,500

local governments (2022)

254

counties

1,223

cities, towns and townships

2,944

special districts

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Organization. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Texas state government pay plan

Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team publishes the classification and pay plan for Texas state employees: 1,246 job classes and 54 pay grades, effective September 1, 2025. Below are the classes that match GovJobsWiki jobs, with annual ranges converted from the plan's published rates.

Job	Classes in the TX plan	Annual range
911 Dispatcher / Public Safety Telecommunicator	Police Communications Operator I–VII 7 classes	$37,144 – $93,138
Accountant (government)	Accountant I–VII 7 classes	$38,976 – $129,430
Administrative Assistant (government)	Administrative Assistant I–VI 6 classes	$29,781 – $76,028
Administrative Law Judge / Hearing Officer	Hearings Officer I–V, Administrative Law Judge I–IV 9 classes	$51,158 – $156,612
Adult Protective Services Worker	Adult Protective Services Specialist I–V 5 classes	$42,976 – $87,046
Bank / Financial Examiner	Financial Examiner I–VII 7 classes	$42,976 – $172,272
Budget Analyst	Budget Analyst I–V 5 classes	$45,521 – $129,430
Child Protective Services (CPS) Caseworker	Child Protective Services Specialist I–V, Family Services Specialist I–II 7 classes	$42,976 – $93,138
Child Support Officer	Child Support Officer I–V 5 classes	$33,840 – $81,351
Civil Engineer (DOT / city / county)	Engineer I–VI 6 classes	$61,184 – $156,612
Contract / Procurement Specialist	Purchaser I–VII, Contract Specialist I–V 12 classes	$35,439 – $114,099
Correctional Officer (state prison)	Correctional Officer I–IV 4 classes	$37,144 – $71,055
Court Reporter (official)	Court Reporter I–III 3 classes	$57,614 – $129,430
Crime Scene Investigator / Forensic Technician	Forensic Scientist I–VI 6 classes	$51,158 – $114,099
Custodian (schools & public buildings)	Custodian I–IV 4 classes	$27,681 – $49,798
DMV Clerk / Driver License Examiner	License and Permit Specialist I–V 5 classes	$37,144 – $93,138
Eligibility Worker / Benefits Specialist	Eligibility Advisor I–V 5 classes	$35,439 – $64,469
Emergency Management Specialist	Emergency Management Program Coordinator I–IV 4 classes	$51,158 – $114,099
Engineering Technician (DOT)	Engineering Aide, Engineering Technician I–III 4 classes	$32,332 – $81,351
Environmental Scientist (government)	Environmental Protection Specialist I–V 5 classes	$40,918 – $114,099
Epidemiologist	Epidemiologist I–IV 4 classes	$48,244 – $114,099
Fish & Game Warden	Game Warden Trainee, Probationary Game Warden, Game Warden 3 classes	$51,255 – $98,085
Fleet Mechanic (city/county)	Motor Vehicle Technician I–V 5 classes	$33,840 – $81,351
GIS Analyst / Specialist	Geographic Information Specialist I–V 5 classes	$45,521 – $129,430
Government Attorney (agency counsel)	Attorney I–V 5 classes	$57,614 – $189,499
Government Auditor	Auditor I–V, Internal Auditor I–V 10 classes	$48,244 – $142,374
Grants Specialist / Manager	Grant Specialist I–V 5 classes	$42,976 – $114,099
Health Inspector / Environmental Health Specialist	Sanitarian I–IV 4 classes	$45,521 – $106,634
Heavy Equipment Operator (government)	Equipment Operator I–III 3 classes	$45,521 – $81,351
Highway / Road Maintenance Worker (DOT)	Transportation Maintenance Specialist I–VII 7 classes	$40,918 – $93,138
Human Resources Specialist (government)	Human Resources Specialist I–VI 6 classes	$40,918 – $129,430
Hydrologist	Hydrologist I–V 5 classes	$45,521 – $129,430
IRS Revenue Agent / Tax Examiner	Tax Auditor I–VI 6 classes	$48,244 – $142,374
IT Specialist (government)	Information Technology Support Specialist I–V, Network Specialist I–VI, +3 more 30 classes	$37,144 – $172,272
Judicial Law Clerk	Law Clerk, Court Law Clerk I–II 3 classes	$40,918 – $87,046
Juvenile Corrections / Detention Officer	Juvenile Correctional Officer I–IV 4 classes	$35,439 – $76,028
Lifeguard (city / state beaches & pools)	Lifeguard I–II 2 classes	$28,705 – $42,571
Office Clerk / Clerk Typist (government)	Clerk I–IV 4 classes	$27,681 – $52,388
Park Ranger (NPS / state / county)	Park Ranger I–V 5 classes	$38,976 – $99,658
Parole Officer	Parole Officer I–V 5 classes	$42,976 – $99,658
Policy / Management Analyst	Management Analyst I–V, Policy Analyst I–III 8 classes	$48,244 – $142,374
Public Health Nurse	Public Health Nurse I–V 5 classes	$51,158 – $156,612
Social Worker (government)	Social Worker I–IV 4 classes	$42,976 – $99,658
State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer	Trooper Trainee, Probationary Trooper, Trooper 3 classes	$51,255 – $98,085
Urban / City Planner	Planner I–V 5 classes	$45,521 – $129,430
Veterans Service Officer	Veterans Services Representative I–VI 6 classes	$40,918 – $87,046
Victim Advocate	Victim Support Specialist I–IV 4 classes	$33,840 – $71,055
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I–IV 4 classes	$45,521 – $93,138

Classes are matched to jobs by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Source: Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team, Texas State Classification Plan — Job Description Index and Salary Schedules A, B and C (FY 2026–27). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Public employers in Texas

Fire departments · 452

Employer	City	Career firefighters	Website
Houston Fire Department	Houston	3,948	Official site
Dallas Fire Department	Dallas	1,950	Official site
San Antonio Fire Department	San Antonio	1,624	Official site
Austin Fire Department	Austin	1,156	Official site
Fort Worth Fire Department	Fort Worth	904	Official site
El Paso Fire Department	El Paso	898	Official site
Corpus Christi Fire Department	Corpus Christi	414	Official site
Lubbock Fire Department	Lubbock	407	Official site
Laredo Metro Fire Department	Laredo	402	Official site
Irving Fire Department	Irving	368	Official site

All 452 fire departments in Texas →

Transit agencies · 63

Employer	City	Vehicles operated directly	Website
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas	Houston	971	Official site
Dallas Area Rapid Transit	Dallas	551	Official site
VIA Metropolitan Transit	San Antonio	388	Official site
Fort Worth Transportation Authority	Fort Worth	145	Official site
City of El Paso	El Paso	92	Official site
Capital Area Rural Transportation System	Cedar Creek	85	Official site
City of Lubbock	Lubbock	84	Official site
Rolling Plains Management Corporation	Crowell	82	Official site
Hill Country Transit District	Belton	74	Official site
Brazos Transit District	Bryan	67	Official site

All 63 transit agencies in Texas →

School districts · 1,022

Employer	City	Teachers (FTE)	Website
HOUSTON ISD	Houston	10,960	Official site
DALLAS ISD	Dallas	9,392	Official site
CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD	Cypress	7,664	Official site
NORTHSIDE ISD	San Antonio	7,075	Official site
KATY ISD	Katy	6,913	Official site
AUSTIN ISD	Austin	5,176	Official site
FORT BEND ISD	Sugar Land	4,974	Official site
CONROE ISD	Conroe	4,751	Official site
FORT WORTH ISD	Fort Worth	4,722	Official site
FRISCO ISD	Frisco	4,477	Official site

All 1,022 school districts in Texas →

Police departments · 780

Municipal and county police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.

All 780 police departments in Texas →

Sheriff's offices · 254

County sheriff's offices in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.

All 254 sheriff's offices in Texas →

Campus police departments · 96

College and university police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.

All 96 campus police departments in Texas →

Sources: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry; Federal Transit Administration, National Transit Database 2024 — Reporter Agency Information; National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff); Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pay for government jobs in Texas

Median wage in Texas for each job's occupation (all employers in the state), next to the national median in government. Largest occupations first.

Job	Workers in TX	Median in TX	National, government
City / County Manager SOC 11-1021	431,310	$103,230	$137,300
IRS Customer Service Representative SOC 43-4051	337,170	$40,420	$45,860
Correctional Nurse SOC 29-1141	271,380	$95,970	$100,490
Public Health Nurse SOC 29-1141	271,380	$95,970	$100,490
School Nurse SOC 29-1141	271,380	$95,970	$100,490
VA Nurse (Veterans Affairs) SOC 29-1141	271,380	$95,970	$100,490
Office Clerk / Clerk Typist (government) SOC 43-9061	218,470	$39,000	$46,170
Custodian (schools & public buildings) SOC 37-2011	184,840	$33,010	$39,640
Administrative Assistant (government) SOC 43-6014	149,650	$45,140	$48,290
School Secretary / Office Manager SOC 43-6014	149,650	$45,140	$48,290
Accountant (government) SOC 13-2011	116,470	$80,920	$81,390
Government Auditor SOC 13-2011	116,470	$80,920	$81,390
Elementary School Teacher SOC 25-2021	116,260	$62,760	$65,310
Public School Teacher (hub) SOC 25-2021	116,260	$62,760	$65,310
ESL / ELL Teacher SOC 25-2031	111,660	$63,590	$74,220
High School Teacher SOC 25-2031	111,660	$63,590	$74,220
Paraprofessional / Teacher Aide SOC 25-9045	108,960	$29,850	$36,990
Child Support Officer SOC 13-1199	104,270	$80,820	$91,060
Death Investigator / Coroner SOC 13-1199	104,270	$80,820	$91,060
Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) SOC 13-1199	104,270	$80,820	$91,060
Grants Specialist / Manager SOC 13-1199	104,270	$80,820	$91,060
Human Resources Specialist (government) SOC 13-1071	84,930	$68,920	$80,330
Middle School Teacher SOC 25-2022	80,160	$63,390	$65,300
Parks / Grounds Maintenance Worker SOC 37-3011	63,430	$36,740	$40,080
Border Patrol Agent SOC 33-3051	63,100	$75,900	$76,300
Campus / University Police Officer SOC 33-3051	63,100	$75,900	$76,300
CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection) SOC 33-3051	63,100	$75,900	$76,300
Deputy Sheriff SOC 33-3051	63,100	$75,900	$76,300
Federal Police Officer (VA, Pentagon, Capitol…) SOC 33-3051	63,100	$75,900	$76,300
ICE Deportation Officer SOC 33-3051	63,100	$75,900	$76,300

Several jobs can share one occupation code.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Government jobs in Texas