Top 30 Highest-Paying And Most Popular Jobs In Dallas, Texas
Top 30 Highest-Paying And Most Popular Jobs In Dallas, Texas
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Ask anyone to rattle off the first three jobs that come to mind and they'll probably mention teachers or police officers. And while those are some of the most common jobs kids want to be when they grow up, they aren't actually one of the most common jobs in Dallas.

The most common job in Dallas, TX is a customer service representative with 11,014 current customer service representatives and 233 open positions, according to Zippia.

Here are the 30 highest–paying and most popular jobs in Dallas, Texas.

How to find work in Dallas: Employment in Dallas, TX

  • With a growth rate twice as fast as the national average, Dallas is one of the nation’s fastest-growing economies, and therefore has a lot to offer for expats wanting to settle down in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
  • Many large companies have their headquarters in Downtown Dallas, the central business district of the Metroplex. This vibrant area is especially popular among entrepreneurs and young professionals.
  • Compared to the rest of the US, business culture in Dallas is less direct and it is normal to have a little small talk before engaging in negotiations. Southern politeness definitely plays an important role while doing business in Dallas.
  • You need to take the IRS’ Substantial Presence Test in order to know how you have to file your tax return. Depending on your residency status, you are either taxed like a US citizen or only have to pay taxes on your US income.

Those who move to Texas with plans of working in Dallas will be happy to find that the city, and its surrounding area, is an ideal place to find a job. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is home to 21 Fortune 500 companies, such as JCPenney, AT&T, Texas Instruments, and Exxon Mobil. Moreover, the city boasts a stable economy that weathered the 2008/2009 financial crisis quite admirably.

Dallas: One of the Fastest-Growing Economies in the US

In 2014, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex continued its economic growth and boasted the fourth-highest GDP among metropolitan areas in the country. The area is home to about two-fifths of Texas’ high-tech workers and roughly one-third of the state’s employees in the business services sector.

The city’s growing population is part of the reason for the strong economic growth in North Texas. Many people have migrated from other states to the Lone Star State and have begun working in Dallas, boosting the real estate and services sectors. The industrial diversity of the area is of course also a major factor.

At 2.7%, the Metroplex economy is growing twice as fast as the national average of 1.3%. However, hovering around 20%, the portion of people in Dallas who are under the poverty line is a fair bit higher than the country’s average of about 14%. For expats, though, factors such as a relatively low cost of living and the area’s economic growth still make working in Dallas an attractive opportunity.

Dallas’ Job Market: Strong Economy and Diverse Sectors

Employing hundreds of thousands of people, Dallas’ business and professional services as well as education and health services are the city’s biggest industries. In 2015, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex economy increased the number of jobs in the area by 3.3% for the year, creating plenty of opportunities for working in Dallas. Furthermore, the unemployment rate has been consistently lower than both the Texas and the national averages, with a current rate of 4.0% in July 2016.

Expats with skills in the telecommunications field who plan on working in Dallas County should look to the Telecom Corridor in Richardson, which is home to a host of such companies, like Nortel, Ericsson, and Southwestern Bell. As Dallas and its surrounding area are also major destinations for tourists, migrants, and Americans intent on working in Dallas or finding a better quality of life, the tourism and real estate sectors are major contributors to the city’s economy as well.

Generally speaking, the city’s diverse economy makes working in Dallas a highly attractive option for job seekers. In fact, the city was ranked 15th among US cities for business and career prospects by Forbes in 2015. In particular, well-paid jobs are on the uptick in the area, in part thanks to defense manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, which offer well-paid work in the area. The median household income of people working in Dallas and the Metroplex is approximately 58,000 USD — about 5,000 USD above the national average.

Your Chances Are High: Finding a Job in Dallas

Working in Dallas is a great choice for expats who wish to settle down in the Lone Star State. Texas is relatively stable in terms of its economy, and the cost of living is reasonable. If you are interested in a job with one of the bigger companies in Dallas, it’s always a good start to visit their websites and browse the job listings. Of course, searching online can be helpful as well. Job search engines such as Monster.com, Indeed.com, and SimplyHired.com allow you to filter results by career level, sector, and salary.

Moreover, you shouldn’t underestimate business networking as a way to realize your dream of working in Dallas. Letting your business partners know that you are interested in a job might yield a tip or two about open positions before they are publicly advertised. You can even do this before you arrive in the United States: attend local trade fairs and business-related events at your nearest US embassy, or begin by networking online to increase your chances of someday working in Dallas.

What are the 30 highest – paying and most popular jobs in Dallas, Texas?

1. Customer Service Representative

Employment: 11,014

Average Salary: $25,571

A Customer Service Representative (CSR) is the first point of contact for any customer who has a question or an issue with a product or service the company sells. They have many responsibilities like answering inbound phone calls, addressing customers’ questions about products and services, and processing payments or returns.

A Customer Service Representative, or CSR, will act as a liaison, provide product/services information, answer questions, and resolve any emerging problems that our customer accounts might face with accuracy and efficiency.

The best CSRs are genuinely excited to help customers. They’re patient, empathetic, and passionately communicative. They love to talk and understand the value of good communication skills. Customer service representatives can put themselves in their customers’ shoes and advocate for them when necessary. Customer feedback is priceless, and these CSRs can gather that for you. Problem-solving also comes naturally to customer care specialists. They are confident at troubleshooting and investigate if they don’t have enough information to answer customer questions or resolve complaints.

2. Cashier

Employment: 10,175

Average Salary: $21,779

Cashiers scan items, ensure that prices are quantities are correct, and collect payments. They also assist customers by explaining or recommending items, answering questions, and processing exchanges or refunds.

Cashier Responsibilities:

  • Welcoming customers, answering their questions, helping them locate items, and providing advice or recommendations.
  • Operating scanners, scales, cash registers, and other electronics.
  • Balancing the cash register and generating reports for credit and debit sales.
  • Accepting payments, ensuring all prices and quantities are accurate and proving a receipt to every customer.
  • Processing refunds and exchanges, resolving complaints.
  • Bagging or wrapping purchases to ensure safe transport.
  • Following all store procedures regarding coupons, gift cards, or the purchase of specific items, such as alcohol or cigarettes.
  • Maintaining a clean workspace.

3. Cardiologists

Photo: Froedtert
Photo: Froedtert

Employment: 400

Average Salary: $362,730

Cardiologists provide medical care to adult patients who suffer from heart and/or cardiovascular disease. Cardiologists specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing heart and/or cardiovascular conditions through non-invasive procedures or, when necessary, surgical intervention, in order to provide the best care to their patients.

Cardiologist Responsibilities:

  • Consulting with patients to understand their symptoms and health concerns.
  • Prescribing tests, treatments, and/or surgery, when necessary.
  • Maintaining detailed notes of appointments with patients, including comments, tests and/or treatments prescribed, and test results.
  • Performing tests, when needed, to check the health of patients' hearts and/or cardiovascular systems.
  • Interpreting test results to determine how effectively the heart and/or cardiovascular system is functioning.
  • Using medical imaging equipment, such as CT and MRI scanners, to diagnose and treat heart and/or cardiovascular conditions.
  • Assisting and/or performing surgery which may include complex surgical interventions that require a team of medical professionals.
  • Prescribing medication to treat heart and/or cardiovascular disease.
  • Providing support and advice to patients receiving long-term care.
  • Training and providing educational support to junior staff, when necessary.

4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Employment: 670

Average Salary: $328,570

An OB-GYN, or Obstetrician Gynecologist, diagnoses and treats various medical conditions that impact women’s health. Their duties include diagnosing and monitoring illnesses and diseases, providing medical support to pregnant women and performing routine check-ups on female patients.

OB-GYNs have numerous responsibilities. This field combines obstetrics—a special area of care that encompasses preconception care through childbirth and delivery—with gynecology, which covers all areas of women’s health. They perform initial diagnoses and prescribe the best treatments possible, and they must explain complex conditions in simple terms.

5. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric

Employment: 190

Average Salary: $322,610

Orthopedic surgeons work with a wide variety of patients who suffer from ailments affecting their musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They address physical traumas, such as injuries, infections, and other conditions requiring either non-invasive orthopedic procedures or surgical intervention.

6. Chief Executives

Employment: 1,570

Average Salary: $296,480

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the highest-ranking executive of any company. They are responsible for ensuring that the business operates at a profit and meets its goals. They need to know how best to approach new opportunities, including delegating tasks or directing agendas to drive profitability by managing organizational structure.

7. Dermatologists

Employment: 80

Average Salary: $295,540

Dermatologists diagnose skin problems, from mild ones (e.g. sunburn) to severe ones (e.g. skin cancer). They conduct screenings and skin evaluations, and analyze the patients’ medical history to determine appropriate treatments. Dermatologists also oversee how effective the treatments are and refer patients to different specialists if needed.

8. Anesthesiologists

Photo: USNews
Photo: USNews

Employment: 450

Average Salary: $285,230

An anesthesiologist is a highly skilled medical doctor who specializes in pain relief and cares for patients before, during, and after surgery. During operations, anesthesiologists serve a central role in delivering anesthesia to a patient and regulating their critical life functions. Anesthesiologists are trained to understand how different medications will interact with a patient’s unique physiology and are responsible for diagnosing and treating any issues that may arise during surgery. Outside of the operating room, anesthesiologists help treat patients who suffer from pain due to chronic illness or injury.

9. General Internal Medicine Physicians

Employment: 570

Average Salary: $281,160

Internists, also known as internal medicine physicians or doctors of internal medicine, employ non-surgical methods and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions that affect their patients.

10. Physicians, Pathologists

Employment: 170

Average Salary: $271,160

Pathologists are specialist physicians that undertake research and testing of medical specimens for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Pathologists do not work directly with patients, but they do assist medical practitioners in diagnosing their patients’ illness and developing treatment plans.

11. Pediatricians, General

Employment: 240

Average Salary: $248,580

A pediatrician provides general medical care, monitors growth and development, and tracks and administers immunizations for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The pediatrician diagnoses and treats illnesses, medical conditions, and injuries, and eases the lives of children with chronic conditions.

12. Neurologists

Photo: Verywell Mind
Photo: Verywell Mind

Employment: 100

Average Salary: $247,800

A Neurologist’s responsibilities include diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. This requires a Neurologist to order tests and evaluate results to provide proper care to their patients.

Neurologist responsibilities include:

  • Diagnosing complex medical problems by referring to a patient’s history, examining them and conducting neurological tests
  • Counseling patients on neurological disorders and their background
  • Ordering neurological tests and interpreting the results of neuroimaging studies

13. Physicians, All Other

Employment: 3,190

Average Salary: $234,610

Physician is a medical doctor who is responsible for promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments.

14. Psychiatrists

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

Employment: 330

Average Salary: $227,830

Psychiatrists are physicians who diagnose and treat people for mental illnesses. They use a variety of modalities to provide treatment including psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication. Psychiatrists see patients who come to their offices or are hospitalized.

15. Family Medicine Physicians

Employment: 2,660

Average Salary: $226,070

Family doctors are medical practitioners who take a personalized approach to healthcare, offering holistic medical supervision. They differ from specialists in that they provide a full range of healthcare services, treat all genders and age groups, and build long-term patient relationships.

16. Podiatrists

Employment: 110

Average Salary: $219,920

Podiatrist responsibilities include conducting foot and ankle surgeries, prescribing orthotics and applying therapeutic treatments for issues like arthritis, fractures and feet corn and calluses. To be considered for this role, you should have a doctoral degree in Podiatric Medicine and practical experience in a clinic or hospital.

17. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Employment: 5,580

Average Salary: $213,010

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

18. Nurse Anesthetists

Employment: 1,250

Average Salary: $198,250

A nurse anesthetist provides pain medication (anesthesia) care for patients before, during, and after surgery. They administer medications to keep patients asleep or pain-free during surgery and constantly monitor every biological function of the patient's body.

19. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Employment: 5,770

Average Salary: $172,760

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

On the job, you would:

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

20. Architectural and Engineering Managers

Employment: 4,840

Average Salary: $164,390

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

On the job, you would:

  • Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
  • Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
  • Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.

21. Lawyers

Photo: Aceris Law LLC
Photo: Aceris Law LLC

Employment: 14,660

Average Salary: $161,650

Lawyers, also known as attorneys, are certified professionals who advise and represent natural and juristic persons in legal matters. They counsel clients, perform legal research, prepare legal documents and represent clients in criminal and civil court proceedings.

22. Financial Managers

Employment: 17,390

Average Salary: $161,500

Financial managers create financial reports, direct investments, and create plans and strategies for the long-term financial benefit of a business or organization. They may work at hotels, banks, and insurance companies, and work closely with the management team.

23. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Employment: 15,980

Average Salary: $159,010

The Computer and Information Systems (CIS) Manager will plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities by determining the technology needs of the company and making hardware- and software-related decisions to meet those needs.

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Collaborates with users, vendors, technicians, and managers to understand and assess computing and system needs and requirements.
  • Communicates the goals, policies, and procedures of the company to the CIS team; develops plans to implement these needs.
  • Evaluates current technology use and needs of the company and recommends software and hardware improvements.
  • Oversees backup, security, and user help systems.
  • Remains current on advances in technology.
  • Provides technical support to users.
  • Prepares and delivers operational or project progress reports.
  • Implements and oversees operational budget and expenditures.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

24. Petroleum Engineers

Photo: CareerOneStep
Photo: CareerOneStep

Employment: 1,290

Average Salary: $158,210

A petroleum engineer works with a team of specialists to locate natural reservoirs of petroleum deposits and to develop the most cost-effective, efficient methods of extracting petroleum. The petroleum engineer uses principles from chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and geology to maximize the efficiency and environmental safety of petroleum extraction.

25. Air Traffic Controllers

Employment: 750

Average Salary: $154,180

Air traffic controllers use technology to monitor and communicate potential hazards and other helpful information to pilots in an effort to minimize delays and ensure the safety of travelers. They monitor and report changes in wind and weather, provide takeoff and landing instructions, and help regulate activity on the ground and in their designated airspace.

26. Computer and Information Research Scientists

Employment: 560

Average Salary: $151,650

Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other fields.

27. Chemical Engineers

Photo; Getty Images
Photo; Getty Images

Employment: 610

Average Salary: $151,460

Chemical engineers use their knowledge of science and mathematics to improve processes and equipment used in processing chemicals and find solutions to the problems many industries face. They analyze processes and data, perform research and tests, and develop plans to optimize plant operations.

28. Marketing Managers

Employment: 7,740

Average Salary: $147,610

A marketing manager is responsible for building and maintaining a strong and consistent brand through a wide range of online and offline marketing channels. They track and analyze the performance of advertising campaigns, manage the marketing and ensure that all marketing is in line with the brand identity. Marketing managers can work in a variety of industries.

29. Dentists, General

Employment: 3,520

Average Salary: $146,710

A Dentist, or Dental Surgeon, is responsible for performing oral surgery and routine cleanings on patients. Their duties include repairing and removing teeth, diagnosing conditions and communicating with patients about how to best care for their teeth and gums.

30. Physicists

Employment: 230

Average Salary: 142,750

A physicist works to explain how forces, structures and phenomena affect the natural world. This position requires extensive amounts of research to produce reports and technical papers that contribute to the industry at large as well as lecturing and teaching students about the laws of physics. The typical career progression of a physicist is into the position of a Chief Medical Physicist within the organization.

A bachelor's degree in physics is the minimum educational requirement to be a physicist with a master's degree or doctorate degree required to teach at a collegiate level. As part of the job, extensive research is required and therefore a good candidate for the position will possess excellent research and reporting skills with an expectation for exceptional verbal and written communications. Other skills include possessing great analytical and problem-solving skills that will assist in the writing of research papers and reports.

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