As we move through February 2026, I’m feeling encouraged by the momentum building in the Houston economy. The slowdown we saw through late 2025 hasn’t fully disappeared, but we’ve already had a stronger start to the year compared to last year, which is a welcome change.

Houston Job Market Outlook

Companies aren’t expanding aggressively, but they are backfilling essential roles and making targeted hires tied to revenue, compliance, and operational needs. Job growth remains modest across healthcare, construction, logistics, and professional services, while manufacturing is still soft due to energy volatility.

Another major factor shaping today’s hiring landscape: people simply aren’t switching jobs or relocating the way they used to. Many professionals are choosing stability over movement, staying put longer, and avoiding relocations unless absolutely necessary. This reduced mobility is tightening an already selective market, slowing candidate flow, and making it harder for employers to attract specialized talent.

As bonus season wraps up, we should see a slight uptick in candidate movement — but not at pre‑2023 levels.

What’s Happening in Houston

• Unemployment Rate: 4.2% as of December 2025, down from 4.4% in November and holding relatively steady heading into early 2026.
• Labor Participation Rate: The national labor force participation rate is 62.5% in January 2026, still well below prior peaks.
• Price of Oil: WTI is trading between $66 and $70 per barrel in mid‑February 2026.
• PMI: The latest Houston‑area PMI (Dec 2025) shows continued economic growth driven by non-manufacturing activity, while manufacturing remains softer.

Houston Job Market Outlook (2026)

The Greater Houston Partnership forecasts 30,900 new jobs in 2026, reflecting steady but more moderate growth compared to the region’s long‑term average of 50,000 jobs per year. This pace puts Houston on track to reach a record 3.5 million total jobs by the end of 2026, even as national labor market conditions remain softer.

That’s the Q1 update! I’ll keep tracking these trends throughout 2026.

Whether you’re planning to hire, exploring a new search, or just curious about a trend you’d like me to cover, I’m always happy to connect and help however I can.

Please stay connected with me on LinkedIn for further updates and insights. I welcome all connection requests: Let’s Link In!

Industry	Title	Salary	Office	Location
Real Estate	Senior Accountant	$65K – $110K	In Office	Bellaire
Wholesale	Assistant Controller	$140K – $150K	In Office	City Centre
Real Estate	Property Accountant	$85K – $95K	Hybrid	City Centre
Real Estate	Accounting Manager	$120K – $130K	Hybrid	Downtown
Real Estate	Accounting Manager	$120K – $130K	Hybrid	Downtown
Real Estate	Accounting Manager	$120K – $130K	Hybrid	Downtown
Real Estate	Controller	$140K – $160K	Hybrid	Downtown
Real Estate	Controller	$140K – $160K	Hybrid	Downtown
Legal	E-Billing Coordinator	$60K – $75K	Hybrid 3/2	Downtown
O&G	Fixed Assets Accountant	$120K – $125K	Hybrid	Downtown
O&G	Regulatory Accountant	$80K – $115K	Hybrid 4/1	Downtown
O&G	Regulatory Accountant – FERC	$120K – $125K	Hybrid	Downtown
Real Estate	Senior Project Accountant	$90K – $100K	Hybrid	Downtown
Real Estate	Senior Property Accountant	$90K – $100K	Hybrid	Downtown
O&G	Senior Staff Accountant	$83K – $100K	Hybrid	Downtown
O&G	Director of Accounting	$150K – $180K	On-site	Energy Corridor
O&G	Entry Level O&G Accountant	$55K – $60K	On-site	Energy Corridor
Nonprofit	Staff Accountant	$60K – $70K	Hybrid 9/80	Energy Corridor
O&G	Senior Accountant	$80K – $120K	On-site	Energy Corridor
Tax Services	Tax Preparer	$50K – $60K	Hybrid	Fulshear
Financial Services	Accounting Manager	$130K – $135K	Hybrid	Galleria
O&G	Accounting Supervisor	$130K	Hybrid	Galleria
Financial Services	Assistant Controller	$145K	Hybrid	Galleria
O&G	Auditor	$90K – $105K	Hybrid (2)	Galleria
Investment Services	Financial Analyst	$70K – $85K	Office	Galleria
O&G	Financial Reporting Manager	$163K – $173K	Hybrid	Galleria
Real Estate	Property Accountant	$70K – $100K	In Office	Galleria
Financial Services	Senior Accountant	$110K	Hybrid	Galleria
Investment Services	Senior Financial Analyst	$90K – $105K	Office	Galleria
Law Firm	AP Clerk	$60K	On-site	Greenway Plaza
Real Estate	Development Accounting Manager	$110K – $125K	In Office	Greenway Plaza
Mental Health	Senior Payroll Specialist	$75K	On-site	Greenway Plaza
CPA	EL Auditor	$50K – $55K	Hybrid	Greenway Plaza
Real Estate	Property Accounting Manager	$110K – $130K	In Office	Greenway Plaza
Manufacturing	Senior Internal Audit	$90K – $115K	Onsite	IAH
Hospitality	Accounting/AP Coordinator	$52K – $72K	In Office	Jersey Village
Industrial Distribution	Cash Applications Specialist	$45K – $60K	In Office	Jersey Village
Industrial Distribution	Credit Analyst	$48K – $60K	In Office	Jersey Village
Hospitality	Jr Accountant	$55K – $75K	In Office	Jersey Village
Industrial Distribution	Senior Credit Specialist	$60K – $65K	In Office	Jersey Village
Residential Services	Senior Financial Analyst	$100K – $120K	Office	Jersey Village
Industrial Distribution	Income Tax Senior	$85K – $95K	In Office	Jersey Village
Industrial Distribution	State Tax Manager	$100K – $120K	In Office	Jersey Village
CPA	2 Senior Tax Associates	$70K – $80K	In Office	Katy
Utilities	AP Clerk	$60K – $70K	In Office	Katy
Utilities	HR Manager	$160K	In Office	Katy
Chemical Manufacturing	Credit/Accounting Manager	$125K – $160K	Hybrid	League City
Maritime	HRBP	$95K – $125K	In Office	Memorial Park
Nonprofit	Director of Finance/Controller	$130K – $170K	In Office	River Oaks
Manufacturing	Accounting Manager	$120K – $135K	In Off	Sugar Land
Manufacturing	Cost Accountant x 2	$85K – $100K	In Off	Sugar Land
Manufacturing	Director of FP&A	$165K – $200K	In Off	Sugar Land
Manufacturing	Payroll Analyst	$70K – $75K	In Off	Sugar Land
Manufacturing	Senior Accountant	$85K – $100K	In Off	Sugar Land
Manufacturing	Staff Accountant	$60K – $70K	In Off	Sugar Land
Civil Engineering	Senior Accountant	$86K – $98K	Hybrid	Westchase
Wholesale	AP Specialist	$45K – $50K	In Office	Woodlands
Manufacturing	Controller	$120K – $130K	In Office	Woodlands
Family Office	Financial Analyst	$95K – $115K	In Office	Woodlands
Real Estate	Staff Accountant	$65K – $80K	In Office	Woodlands
CPA	Tax Accountant	$85K – $100K	Houston	Woodlands

For a full list of local and remote roles, visit www.cfstaffing.com.