Top 10 Manufacturing Employers in Texas (And What They Pay)

Texas is the largest manufacturing state in America by employment. Over 900,000 Texans work in manufacturing, producing everything from fighter jets to pickup trucks to semiconductors. The state added 28,000 manufacturing jobs in 2025 alone, and the pipeline shows no sign of slowing down.

Whether you're a welder in Houston, a CNC machinist in the DFW Metroplex, or an electrician looking to break into semiconductor fabrication in Austin, Texas has a manufacturer that needs your skills.

We pulled data from employer postings, BLS wage estimates, and company filings to profile the 10 biggest manufacturing employers in Texas—what they build, what they pay, and how to get in the door.

1. Texas Instruments

Headquarters: Dallas, TX Major Facilities: Dallas, Richardson, Sherman (new fab under construction) Texas Employees: ~14,000 Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing

Texas Instruments is building a massive new semiconductor fab complex in Sherman, TX—a $30 billion investment that will create thousands of new manufacturing jobs by 2028. Their existing fabs in Dallas and Richardson already employ thousands of production technicians, equipment maintenance techs, and process engineers.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Fab Technician: $22-30/hour ($46k-$62k/year)
• Equipment Maintenance Technician: $28-38/hour ($58k-$79k/year)
• Process Technician: $25-34/hour ($52k-$71k/year)
• Facilities Technician: $24-32/hour ($50k-$67k/year)

Training Programs: TI partners with local community colleges to offer semiconductor manufacturing certifications. Their internal training program takes new hires through 6-12 months of on-the-job education in cleanroom operations, equipment maintenance, and process control.

What they look for: Associates degree or technical certificate in electronics, industrial maintenance, or semiconductor manufacturing. Military veterans with electronics backgrounds are actively recruited.

2. Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth)

Headquarters: Bethesda, MD (Corporate) | Fort Worth, TX (Aeronautics) Major Facilities: Fort Worth (mile-long F-35 assembly line), Grand Prairie Texas Employees: ~17,000 Industry: Aerospace & Defense

The Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth is one of the most impressive manufacturing operations in the world. The mile-long F-35 Lightning II assembly line produces the most advanced fighter jet ever built, and every single one of them rolls out of a factory in north Texas.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Aircraft Structural Assembler: $24-34/hour ($50k-$71k/year)
• Aircraft Electrician: $26-36/hour ($54k-$75k/year)
• CNC Machinist: $25-35/hour ($52k-$73k/year)
• Composite Fabricator: $23-32/hour ($48k-$67k/year)
• Welding Specialist: $27-38/hour ($56k-$79k/year)
• Quality Inspector: $28-38/hour ($58k-$79k/year)

Training Programs: Lockheed Martin runs an internal "Star" apprenticeship program and partners with Tarrant County College for aircraft assembly and avionics training. They also hire heavily from the Fort Worth ISD career and technical education pipeline.

What they look for: Security clearance eligibility (U.S. citizenship required), trade school certificates in aviation maintenance, welding, or machining. Military aircraft maintenance experience is highly valued.

If you're interested in CNC work for aerospace, check out our guide to CNC programming careers.

3. Bell Textron

Headquarters: Fort Worth, TX Major Facilities: Fort Worth, Amarillo Texas Employees: ~8,500 Industry: Rotorcraft / Aerospace

Bell builds military and commercial helicopters—including the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor and the new V-280 Valor, the Army's next-generation assault aircraft. Their Fort Worth campus handles engineering and final assembly, while Amarillo manages component manufacturing and overhaul.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Sheet Metal Assembler: $22-30/hour ($46k-$62k/year)
• Helicopter Mechanic/Assembler: $24-34/hour ($50k-$71k/year)
• CNC Machinist: $25-35/hour ($52k-$73k/year)
• Composite Technician: $23-31/hour ($48k-$64k/year)
• Paint & Coatings Specialist: $21-28/hour ($44k-$58k/year)

Training Programs: Bell partners with Tarrant County College and Texas State Technical College for aviation manufacturing training. They run an internal apprenticeship for sheet metal and composite fabrication.

4. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas

Headquarters (U.S.): Plano, TX | Plant: San Antonio, TX San Antonio Employees: ~3,200 Industry: Automotive Assembly

Toyota's San Antonio plant builds the Tundra and Sequoia—the only Toyota full-size truck and SUV assembly plant in North America. The facility sits on 2,000 acres and represents a $3 billion investment in south Texas.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Production Team Member: $22-28/hour ($46k-$58k/year) + overtime
• Skilled Maintenance Technician: $32-42/hour ($67k-$87k/year)
• Quality Assurance Technician: $24-32/hour ($50k-$67k/year)
• Paint Technician: $23-30/hour ($48k-$62k/year)
• Logistics Specialist: $21-27/hour ($44k-$56k/year)

Training Programs: Toyota's famous production system includes extensive on-the-job training. New hires go through 2-4 weeks of Toyota Production System (TPS) training. For skilled maintenance roles, they partner with Alamo Colleges District and offer tuition assistance for industrial maintenance certifications.

What makes them different: Toyota is consistently rated as one of the best manufacturing employers in America. Benefits include day-one health insurance, 401(k) match, and a culture that genuinely values production workers.

5. Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Location: Austin, TX (Taylor, TX fab under construction) Austin Employees: ~3,000 (expected to grow significantly) Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing

Samsung's Austin fab has been producing chips since 1997. Their new $17 billion fab in Taylor, TX—just 30 miles northeast of Austin—is expected to begin production in 2026 and will create over 2,000 direct manufacturing jobs.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Semiconductor Process Technician: $24-33/hour ($50k-$69k/year)
• Equipment Technician: $26-36/hour ($54k-$75k/year)
• Facilities Maintenance Technician: $25-35/hour ($52k-$73k/year)
• Cleanroom Operator: $20-26/hour ($42k-$54k/year)

Training Programs: Samsung partners with Austin Community College and Temple College for semiconductor manufacturing certificates. The Taylor fab is expected to generate significant demand for trained technicians in the Williamson County area.

6. Raytheon (RTX)

Major Facilities: McKinney, TX (missile systems), Dallas, TX Texas Employees: ~6,000 Industry: Defense / Missile Systems

Raytheon's McKinney facility manufactures missile defense systems including the Patriot and Stinger missiles. The Dallas area operations focus on advanced sensors and electronic warfare systems. With defense budgets rising, Raytheon is on a sustained hiring push across north Texas.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Electronic Assembler: $20-28/hour ($42k-$58k/year)
• Soldering Technician (IPC certified): $22-30/hour ($46k-$62k/year)
• CNC Machinist: $25-35/hour ($52k-$73k/year)
• Test Technician: $24-33/hour ($50k-$69k/year)
• Quality Inspector: $26-36/hour ($54k-$75k/year)

What they look for: IPC soldering certifications, industrial electrician backgrounds, and CNC machining experience. Security clearance eligibility is required for most manufacturing roles.

7. BAE Systems

Major Facilities: Austin, TX (electronics), San Jose operations support Texas Employees: ~2,500 Industry: Defense Electronics

BAE Systems' Austin campus focuses on electronic warfare systems, precision navigation, and military communication systems. They're one of the top defense electronics employers in central Texas.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Electronics Technician: $24-34/hour ($50k-$71k/year)
• RF/Microwave Assembler: $22-30/hour ($46k-$62k/year)
• Test Equipment Technician: $26-36/hour ($54k-$75k/year)
• Cable & Harness Assembler: $19-26/hour ($40k-$54k/year)

Training Programs: BAE runs an internal technical development program and partners with Austin Community College for electronics manufacturing training.

8. Caterpillar

Major Facility: Seguin, TX (excavator manufacturing) Seguin Employees: ~2,000 Industry: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing

Caterpillar's Seguin facility manufactures hydraulic excavators for the North American market. The 850,000 square-foot plant handles everything from steel cutting and welding to final assembly and painting.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Production Welder: $22-30/hour ($46k-$62k/year)
• CNC Machinist: $24-33/hour ($50k-$69k/year)
• Assembly Technician: $20-27/hour ($42k-$56k/year)
• Hydraulic Technician: $25-34/hour ($52k-$71k/year)
• Paint Technician: $20-26/hour ($42k-$54k/year)

What they look for: Welding certifications (AWS D1.1 structural steel), machining experience, and mechanical aptitude. Caterpillar offers competitive benefits and a strong internal promotion culture.

For more on Caterpillar and other major manufacturers hiring nationally, see our roundup of top 15 manufacturing companies hiring right now.

9. NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters (U.S.): Austin, TX Major Facilities: Austin (two fabs), San Antonio Texas Employees: ~4,000 Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing

NXP is a Dutch semiconductor company with its largest U.S. operations in Texas. Their Austin fabs produce chips for automotive, IoT, and industrial applications. With the automotive chip shortage still fresh in industry memory, NXP is investing heavily in Texas manufacturing capacity.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• Fab Operator: $20-26/hour ($42k-$54k/year)
• Equipment Technician: $26-36/hour ($54k-$75k/year)
• Process Technician: $24-33/hour ($50k-$69k/year)
• Metrology Technician: $25-34/hour ($52k-$71k/year)

Training Programs: NXP works with Austin Community College's semiconductor manufacturing program and offers internal cross-training for technicians wanting to advance from operator to equipment tech roles.

10. Flex (formerly Flextronics)

Major Facilities: Austin, TX (multiple campuses) Texas Employees: ~3,500 Industry: Contract Electronics Manufacturing

Flex is one of the world's largest contract manufacturers, building products for companies you know—medical devices, automotive electronics, industrial equipment, and consumer tech. Their Austin operations are a major hub for advanced manufacturing.

Typical Roles & Pay:

• SMT Machine Operator: $18-24/hour ($37k-$50k/year)
• Electronics Assembler: $17-23/hour ($35k-$48k/year)
• Test Technician: $22-30/hour ($46k-$62k/year)
• Manufacturing Engineer Tech: $24-33/hour ($50k-$69k/year)
• Quality Technician: $20-28/hour ($42k-$58k/year)

What they look for: IPC-A-610 certification for electronics inspection, soldering experience, and willingness to work in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.

How to Break Into Texas Manufacturing

Texas manufacturers across all 10 of these companies share common hiring preferences:

1. Get the right certifications. AWS welding certs for metal fabrication. IPC certs for electronics. Semiconductor manufacturing certificates for chip fabs. Employers use these as screening filters—without them, your resume may never get seen.

2. Target the right regions. North Texas (DFW Metroplex) is the epicenter for aerospace and defense manufacturing. Austin is the hub for semiconductors and electronics. San Antonio and Houston offer automotive and heavy industry. Know where your skills are in highest demand.

3. Consider shift flexibility. Many Texas plants run 24/7. Second shift (2pm-10pm) and third shift (10pm-6am) positions are easier to land and often pay $2-5/hour shift differentials on top of base pay.

4. Use your military background. Texas is home to multiple major military installations. Defense manufacturers like Lockheed, Raytheon, and BAE actively recruit transitioning service members and veterans. If you have a military MOS in electronics, mechanical maintenance, or aviation, these companies want to talk to you.

5. Start with training. Many of these employers partner with Texas community colleges and technical schools. Completing a relevant program makes you a preferred candidate.

For a broader look at which trade careers offer the highest pay, see our guide to the top 10 highest-paying trade jobs in 2026.

Employer data sourced from company filings, public careers pages, BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, and HireBuilt employer database. Employee counts are approximate. Pay ranges reflect 2025-2026 data and vary by experience, shift, and specific role. Always verify current openings directly with employers.