This career just skyrocketed in Texas, receiving a massive pay increase

DALLAS (KDAF) — New research has found that athletes and sports competitors are the most in-demand occupations in Texas.

Cryptocurrency exchange ChicksX analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data on annual pay for 762 occupations across America to determine the most in-demand occupations by which ones had the greatest increase in pay from 2020 to 2024. The study also found the most in-demand occupations in each state and metro area.

The 10 most in-demand occupations in Texas by percentage increase in wages from 2020 to 2024

Rank	Occupation Title	Average annual salary in 2020	Average annual salary in 2024	Percentage increase in pay from 2020 to 2024
1.	Athletes and Sports Competitors	$127,250	$321,640	152.76%
2.	Recreational Therapists	$42,980	$81,870	90.48%
3.	Watch and Clock Repairers	$42,090	$80,000	90.07%
4.	Animal Scientists	$55,190	$103,600	87.72%
5.	Media and Communication Workers, All Other	$31,410	$56,910	81.18%
6.	Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	$48,780	$86,320	76.96%
7.	Set and Exhibit Designers	$40,530	$67,470	66.47%
8.	Commercial Pilots	$106,040	$172,030	62.23%
9.	Agricultural Workers, All Other	$25,620	$41,400	61.59%
10.	Occupational Therapy Aides	$30,230	$48,380	60.04%

Athletes and sports competitors are comfortably the most in-demand occupations in Texas, with yearly wages skyrocketing by 152.76% from $127,250 in 2020 to $321,640 in 2024.

Recreational therapists are the second most in-demand occupation in Texas, with annual wages increasing by 90.48% since 2020. The average salary in Texas for these jobs was $42,980 in 2020 and $81,870 in 2024. Recreational therapists plan and direct recreation-based activities as part of medical treatment programs.

Watch and clock repairers are third in Texas, with wages rising by 90.07% from $42,090 per year in 2020 to $80,000 in 2024.

Animal scientists rank fourth in Texas. Wages soared by 87.72% from $55,190 in 2020 to $103,600 in 2024. Animal scientists research the best ways to take care of farm animals.

Media and Communication Workers round out Texas’s top five most in-demand occupations, with wages increasing from $31,410 in 2020 to $56,910 in 2024. This is an increase of 81.18%.

The 10 most in-demand occupations in America

Rank	Occupation	Average annual salary in 2020	Average annual salary in 2024	Percentage increase in pay from 2020 to 2024
1.	Athletes and Sports Competitors	$94,740	$259,750	174.17%
2.	Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes	$98,070	$165,600	68.86%
3.	News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	$66,000	$106,030	60.65%
4.	Gambling Dealers	$26,110	$40,420	54.81%
5.	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons	$234,990	$360,240	53.30%
6.	Media and Communication Workers, All Other	$55,540	$84,870	52.81%
7.	Models	$54,050	$81,540	50.86%
8.	Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	$186,870	$280,570	50.14%
9.	Motion Picture Projectionists	$34,380	$50,290	46.28%
10.	Sales and Related Workers, All Other	$39,750	$57,030	43.47%

For America overall, the most in-demand occupations are also athletes and sports competitors, with wages rising by 174.17% between 2020 and 2024 nationally. The average annual wage for these occupations rose from $94,740 in 2020 to $259,750 in 2024 nationwide.

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes are the second most in-demand jobs across America. Annual wages rose by 68.86% from $98,070 to $165,600.

News analysts, reporters, and journalists rank third nationally with a 60.65% wage increase. Annual pay rose from $66,000 in 2020 to $106,030 in 2024.

Gambling dealers are fourth overall, with a 54.81% increase in annual wages. Wages grew from $26,110 to $40,420 per year.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete the national top five, with wages rising by 53.30% from $234,990 to $360,240. These surgeons perform surgical procedures around the mouth and face.