Because Houston’s economy is so varied, a temp can work his or her way upward into other businesses and industries. The temp worker hoping to land jobs in Houston will do best by knowing what industries are growing fastest here and giving special emphasis to job opportunities in these industries.
Drawing on the databases of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, we have identified those industries in the Houston economy that are growing fastest. These represent the best opportunities for temp personnel, and the growth projections for each industry are helpful for those seeking work.
Trending Industries for Employment in Houston
Based on the data from BLS here are the top trending industries in Houston.
- Education and Health Services: The education and health services sector has demonstrated remarkable growth, with a reported increase of 23 thousand jobs, translating to a 5.3 percent rise from February 2023 to February 2024. This surge underscores the sector’s resilience and expanding demand for professionals, making it a fertile ground for temp job seekers.
- Manufacturing: Showing a robust increase of 7.5 thousand jobs, equivalent to a 3.3 percent growth rate in the same period, manufacturing holds a significant position in Houston’s employment landscape. The industry’s momentum is indicative of burgeoning opportunities for skilled workers.
- Government: With a 4.4 percent increase, translating to 19.6 thousand new positions, the government sector stands out as a substantial employer. This growth reflects the ongoing need for public service professionals and offers a stable avenue for temporary employment.
- Other Services: This category, encompassing a wide range of service-oriented roles, experienced a notable uptick of 6.0 thousand jobs, or 4.8 percent growth. The diversity within this sector suggests a broad spectrum of opportunities for those exploring temp positions.
- Professional and Business Services: Marked by an increase of 8.8 thousand jobs, amounting to a 1.6 percent growth, this sector continues to be a key player in Houston’s economy. The professional and business services industry offers a wealth of opportunities, particularly for those with specialized skills.
- Leisure and Hospitality: Adding 6.5 thousand jobs, which represents a 1.9 percent increase, the leisure and hospitality sector reflects Houston’s vibrant cultural and entertainment scene. This industry is ideal for temp workers looking for dynamic and people-oriented roles.
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: With an 8.0 thousand job increase, equating to a 1.2 percent growth, this sector is crucial to Houston’s role as a logistics and trade hub. Opportunities abound for temp workers in roles ranging from logistics coordination to utility management.
Common Positions Offered by Staffing Agencies in Houston
- Medical Assistant (Education and Health Services): Medical assistants play a vital role in supporting healthcare facilities by performing clinical tasks and managing patient care coordination. Their responsibilities often include taking patient histories, assisting with examinations, and handling administrative duties.
- CNC Machinist (Manufacturing): CNC machinists are crucial in the manufacturing industry, operating computer-controlled machines to produce precision parts. They are responsible for reading and interpreting blueprints, setting up machines, and ensuring quality control of the manufactured products.
- Public Administration Analyst (Government): Working within the government sector, public administration analysts evaluate policies, programs, and regulations. They conduct research, analyze data, and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in public services.
- Marketing Coordinator (Other Services): In the diverse Other Services sector, marketing coordinators help promote organizations through campaigns, social media, and event planning. They collaborate with sales teams to develop strategies that align with business goals.
- IT Consultant (Professional and Business Services): IT consultants advise businesses on how to best use technology to meet their objectives. This role may involve designing and implementing systems, solving technical problems, and providing training on new software and hardware.
- Event Planner (Leisure and Hospitality): Event planners in the leisure and hospitality industry are responsible for organizing and coordinating events such as conferences, weddings, and corporate gatherings. They manage budgets, select venues, arrange catering, and ensure events run smoothly.
Navigating the Selection Process
Selecting the right temp companies in Houston is important. It’s all about compatibility and functionality. But how do you, as a job seeker, discern one agency from another in a market brimming with options?
Evaluating Potential Employment
Here are several factors to keep in mind when evaluating temporary job opportunities:
Work Expectations
Define your short-term and long-term career goals. A temporary job might just be for a few months, but it can teach you pivotal skills that will have a long-lasting impact on your career.
Company Culture
Even for a temp, the culture of a company is significant. It speaks volumes about how the business treats its temporary staff and might give clues into the potential for permanent placement.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Temp Agency
Choosing a temp agency is a significant first step in your temporary work journey. To ensure it’s the right step, consider the following:
Agency Reputation
Word-of-mouth reviews from past employees can offer valuable insights into an agency’s reputation and reliability. These firsthand accounts can provide a deeper understanding of the company culture, the quality of management, and the overall work environment, which are crucial factors when assessing the credibility of an agency.
Range of Opportunities
A good temp agency should offer more than one industry to work with. Like that, the opportunities you get are more varied, and you have a freer choice of roles, allowing you to find the position that best suits your skills and career ambitions.
Support Services
When looking for agencies to work for, get agencies that offer more than just temps. Get agencies that provide career-development programs or vocational training for their temps. Career-development programs would be ideal, but vocational training would help provide pertinent resources and skills that temporary workers need in the workplace to help them advance their careers.
Seizing Success in Houston Temp Jobs
For anyone looking to hit the pavement here within the Houston tempscape, the lesson is clear: the way to bring temp work to its full range of potential lies in picking carefully, adapting quickly, staying informed, connected, and above all flexible. The Houston temp scene is as fluid as the metropolis it feeds, and to the enterprising job searcher it promises a path full of possibility and purpose.