Half of Texas workers are job hunting, Robert Walters finds

Robert Walters says 56% of Texan professionals are actively looking for new roles, with pay, culture and work-life balance driving the search. The findings point to rising job mobility in a state where employers still face strong demand for talent and workers are under pressure to improve earnings and flexibility.

Why it matters: - Texas workers are showing strong intent to move, which can raise competition for employers trying to hold onto skilled staff. - Better pay is the top trigger, but culture and flexibility are now close behind, signaling that compensation alone may not be enough to keep talent. - The labor shift matters in a state that continues to add jobs and outpace the national growth rate.

What happened: - Robert Walters reported that 56% of Texan professionals are actively looking for a new job. - Another 31% said they are open to new opportunities. - The findings were released Aug. 13, 2026, from Austin. - 65% said they feel confident enough to switch roles for better opportunities. - Nearly 29% said broader uncertainty makes them cautious. - Only 6% said uncertainty would stop them from making a move entirely.

The details: - 46% of Texas professionals named better compensation as the main reason for seeking a new role. - Texas private-sector average hourly earnings are $35.07. - That trails New York at $39.69 and California at $42.35. - Robert Walters said workers may see changing jobs as the fastest way to increase earnings. - The company also noted that only 44% expect an internal salary review this year. - Company culture and work-life balance each ranked at 20% as drivers of job changes. - Career advancement ranked lower at 15%. - Texas added 43,400 jobs in June. - Annual job growth in Texas reached 177,900 between June 2025 and June 2026. - That pace was ahead of the U.S. national growth rate. - Robert Walters said the numbers reflect a resilient Texas economy. - The company also said employers should stay agile on compensation to stay competitive.

Between the lines: - Workers appear less willing to wait out uncertainty and more willing to make a move now. - That shifts leverage toward candidates with in-demand skills, even in an employer-led market. - Employers with tight budgets may need to compete through flexibility, culture and benefits instead of pay alone.

What's next: - Robert Walters expects employers to keep adjusting compensation packages to attract specialist talent. - Texas workers are likely to keep testing the market if wage growth, internal reviews and flexibility do not match expectations. - Leaders may need to use lower-cost perks to stay competitive in hiring and retention.

The bottom line: - Texas professionals are active in the job market, and employers may need to widen their offer beyond salary to keep pace.