Looking for a change of venue? Is your current location limiting your career potential? If you are an engineer of any stripe, you might want to consider (re)starting your career in Houston, Texas.

7 Reasons to Consider a Job in Houston (if you’re an Engineer)

1. Houston has North America’s Fastest-Growing Economy.

According to the Houston Business Journal and the Brookings Institute:

Although the vast majority of North American metropolitan economies still fall blow pre-recession levels, a new report from the Brookings Institution found that Houston has the fastest growing metropolitan economy in North America. When compared to the world’s 300 largest metropolitan economies, Houston ranked as the 40th fastest-growing economy. However, it trumped most other U.S. cities in terms of growth, Brookings found.

For both near and long-term job prospects, starting a career in Houston is a good bet.

Photo credit: OneEighteen

2. Houston has over 5600 Engineering Jobs Available.

There are more engineer jobs in Houston, Texas than almost every other city in North America.

And if you are willing to commute more than 25 miles, the number of engineering jobs available expands to almost 6,000. (Engineer Jobs within 50 miles of Houston, TX).

3. Houston’s Housing Market is Very Affordable.

According to Trulia.com, the median sales price for homes in Houston TX for Oct 12 to Dec 12 was $128,000. Although the real estate market continues to appreciate year-over-year, relative to income, the Houston housing market remains one of the most affordable places to live in the United States.

Photo credit: The Rocketeer

4. Houston is an Energy Sector “Boomtown.”

From a June 2012 Houston Chronicle Article:

The energy industry has bolstered employment in the Houston area, fueling demand for homes and rentals in areas close to corporate centers such as downtown and the Energy Corridor along the Katy Freeway. The Woodlands and other neighborhoods north of Houston are getting a boost from Exxon Mobil, which is building a campus for 10,000 employees along Interstate 45 near the Hardy Toll Road.

A few of the major energy-sector employers in Houston:

Photo credit: eschipul

5. Houston is still “Space City.”

Houston is home to NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center – where the Mission Control Center is located. “Houston” is important not only because astronaut training is conducted at the Johnson Space Center, but it also leads NASA’s flight-related scientific and medical research programs. Technologies researched and developed in the 1,620 acre complex include medicine, energy, transportation, agriculture, communications and electronics.

In addition, the International Space Station is managed from Houston. Per Boeing’s “Defense, Space, and Security” site:

Houston is Boeing’s International Space Station headquarters. Boeing Houston teams design, develop, integrate, test and deliver of the U.S.-built elements… The Boeing Company is the International Space Station’s prime contractor, with more than 1,500 employees directly involved in some facet of the ISS. It directs a national industry team comprising most major aerospace companies and hundreds of small contractors, as well as Boeing itself.

You can check out Boeing jobs available in Houston here.

Photo credit: Eric Kilby

6. Texas has no state income tax.

Do you enjoy more money in your bank account?

You’re in luck! Unless you are moving from one of the seven other states without income taxes, you’ll ‘take home’ more salary in Houston than you would the same salary in another state.

7. Educational Opportunities for Engineers Abound.

Because Houston is an “energy boomtown” and “Space City” (see above), the educational institutions in town have a number of engineering undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as part-time and evening MBA programs. (Related Article: Should you get an MBA as an Engineer?)

University of Houston

Offers undergraduate and graduate engineering programs at the Cullen College of Engineering.

Also offers full-time, part-time, and evening MBA programs at the C.T. Bauer College of Business.

Rice University

Offers undergraduate engineering programs at the George R. Brown School of Engineering with several related Professional Master’s Programs.

Also offers full-time, part-time, and evening MBA programs at the Jones Graduate School of Business.

Texas Southern University

Offers undergraduate and graduate engineering programs as well as an MBA program.

Other educational opportunities you can take advantage of in Houston include learning Lean Methodologies or getting your Six Sigma Black Belt.

Photo credit: eschipul

Are you an Engineer in Houston?

We would love to hear your honest feedback about what it’s like to be an engineer or an engineering student in Houston, Texas. Please drop a comment below.