Hourly Jobs in Austin, TX

Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and its labor market runs hot. A tech boom, the state capitol, a major university, and a nonstop calendar of festivals and live music keep employers competing hard for workers. Texas follows the federal wage floor and has no state income tax, but in Austin that floor is almost beside the point: demand pushes hourly pay well above it, though a higher cost of living than the rest of Texas is the trade-off.

Austin at a glance

• Metro population: about 2.5 million
• Minimum wage: 7.25 per hour (Texas follows the federal floor, and cities cannot set a higher rate)
• What the market actually pays: a tight labor market pushes most hourly jobs well above the floor
• Tipped minimum: 2.13 per hour cash, with tips expected to bring the total to at least 7.25
• Typical hourly range: about 14 to 26 per hour depending on role and experience
• No state income tax, though the cost of living runs higher than the rest of Texas

Top hourly industries hiring in Austin

• Hospitality and events: live music, festivals, restaurants, and hotels keep service roles in constant demand.
• Technology operations: the tech sector runs large hourly support, logistics, and customer teams.
• Healthcare: a growing metro drives demand for CNAs, techs, and support staff.
• Retail and food service: rapid population growth keeps retail and cafe hiring steady.
• Construction and skilled trades: one of the country's fastest-growing metros needs trades year-round.

Typical hourly pay in Austin

• Retail associate: 14 to 18 per hour
• Fast food or line cook: 14 to 18 per hour
• Warehouse associate: 16 to 22 per hour
• CNA or patient-care tech: 15 to 21 per hour
• Barista or cafe worker: 14 to 18 per hour plus tips
• Server or bartender: 2.13 base plus tips, often 16 to 28 per hour effective

(Ranges are local estimates. Confirm against current BLS metro figures before publishing.)

Getting hired in Austin

• The tight labor market means most hourly jobs start well above the 7.25 floor, so compare offers on total pay.
• The densest hourly hiring is downtown and along the entertainment districts, the tech campuses, and the fast-growing suburbs.
• No state income tax helps, but factor in a higher cost of living than other Texas cities when you weigh an offer.
• Festivals and event season bring hiring surges, so watch for seasonal hospitality openings.