Industries & Careers
INDUSTRIES & CAREERS

Looking for a career with real potential? Start here. Discover the top industries and careers driving opportunity in the Heart of Texas—plus the skills, training, and education paths to help you get there.

In-Demand Industries

Explore the industries that power the Heart of Texas! Healthcare, manufacturing, and construction are industries we’ve targeted to highlight due to the growth they’re driving in our region. Each one offers exciting career opportunities, steady demand, and a chance to build a future right here at home. More in-demand industries will be added soon.

Note: Look for the colored markers at the bottom of each box—blue for healthcare, green for manufacturing, and orange for construction—to see how they connect to targeted occupations.

Health Care Industry

Health Care Industry

This dynamic sector connects skilled professionals with the people who need them most—delivering essential medical care and life-changing support to strengthen communities and improve lives.

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Construction Industry

Construction Industry

Construction careers shape the world around us. If you enjoy hands-on work, solving problems, and seeing the results of your work, this high-demand industry could be a great fit for you.

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Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing Industry

From tech and tools to food and fashion, manufacturing careers power the products we use every day. If you like creating, building, or working with machines, this industry could be your perfect match.

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Targeted Careers

Looking for a career that pays well, has strong job growth, and makes an impact? These are the occupations identified as “targeted” for our region—meaning they’re in high demand, offer solid wages, and have clear training pathways. Click the “Explore Career” buttons below to dive into a career profile and start learning more. Each career profile page will give you regional data and show you what the job is like, how to get started, and where you can train locally.

Note: Each occupation is color-coded to align with its industry: healthcare (blue), manufacturing (green), and construction (orange).

Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

(SOC 49-3011)

Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

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Emergency Medical Technicians

(SOC 29-2042)

Emergency Medical Technicians

Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.

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Radiologic Technologists & Technicians

(SOC 29-2034)

Radiologic Technologists & Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

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Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers

(SOC 49-9051)

Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers

Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

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HVAC, & Refrigeration Mechanics & Installers

(SOC 49-9021)

HVAC & Refrigeration Mechanics & Installers

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

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Registered Nurses

(SOC 29-1141)

Registered Nurses

Assess patient needs, develop care plans, administer nursing care, and advise patients on health maintenance, requiring licensing or registration.

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Electricians

(SOC 47-2111)

Electricians

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

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Industrial Machinery Mechanics

(SOC 49-9041)

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

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Welders, Cutters, Solderers, & Brazers

(SOC 50-4121)

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, & Brazers

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

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Coming Soon!

We’re building more career profiles to give you a full look at all of the targeted occupations in the Heart of Texas. Check back soon as we roll out new pages with details on daily tasks, skills, training programs, and career outlooks—helping you explore even more options for your future.

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging & Systems Assemblers

(SOC 51-2011)

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging & Systems Assemblers

Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

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Dental Assistants

(SOC 31-9091)

Dental Assistants

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

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First-Line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers

(SOC 51-1011)

First-Line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

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Medical Assistants

(SOC 31-9092)

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

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Physical Therapist Assistants

(SOC 31-2021)

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

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Avionics Technicians

(SOC 49-2091)

Avionics Technicians

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

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Dental Hygienists

(SOC 29-1292)

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

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Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

(SOC 29-2061)

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

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Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators

(SOC 47-2073)

Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

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Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters

(SOC 47-2152)

Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters

Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

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Carpenters

(SOC 47-2031)

Carpenters

Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

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Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technologists & Technicians

(SOC 17-3023)

Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technologists & Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

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Machinists

(SOC 51-4041)

Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

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Pharmacy Technicians

(SOC 29-2052)

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

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Respiratory Therapists

(SOC 29-1126)

Respiratory Therapists

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

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