Hourly Jobs in Houston, TX

Houston runs on hourly work. The nation's fourth-largest city is anchored by three giant engines, energy, the world's largest medical complex, and one of the busiest ports in the country, and all three hire hourly workers by the thousands, from patient-care techs at the Texas Medical Center to warehouse crews along the Ship Channel. Texas has no state income tax, so more of every hourly paycheck stays in your pocket, and because employers here compete hard for workers, most pay well above the state wage floor.

Houston at a glance

• Metro population: about 7.5 million
• Minimum wage: 7.25 per hour (Texas follows the federal floor, and cities cannot set a higher rate)
• Typical hourly range: about 13 to 26 per hour depending on role and experience
• No state income tax, so take-home is higher than most states at the same wage
• Texas average hourly wage: about 26 per hour

Top hourly industries hiring in Houston

• Healthcare: the Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world, with heavy demand for CNAs, medical assistants, patient-care techs, and support staff.
• Energy and industrial: refineries, petrochemical plants, and service companies hire operators, technicians, and skilled trades.
• Logistics and warehousing: the Port of Houston and its distribution hubs drive steady warehouse and driver hiring.
• Retail and hospitality: the Galleria, downtown, and the suburbs keep retail, food service, and hotel roles open year-round.
• Construction and skilled trades: a fast-growing metro means constant demand for trades.

Typical hourly pay in Houston

• Retail associate: 12 to 16 per hour
• Fast food or line cook: 12 to 17 per hour
• Warehouse associate: 16 to 22 per hour
• CNA or patient-care tech: 15 to 20 per hour
• Delivery driver: 16 to 22 per hour
• Server: 2.13 base plus tips, often 15 to 25 per hour effective

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

Getting hired in Houston

• Most hourly employers pay several dollars above the 7.25 floor because competition for workers is high.
• The Texas Medical Center, the Energy Corridor, and the Port and Ship Channel have the densest hourly hiring.
• With no state income tax, your gross hourly rate stretches further than the same rate in many other states.
• Holiday retail and warehouse hiring peaks in the fall, and some energy roles follow project cycles.