McALLEN, Texas — The Rio Grande Valley continues to record Texas’ lowest median wages even as the region attracts billions of dollars in announced investment, according to recently released state workforce data.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Area, which includes Hidalgo and Starr counties, reported a median annual wage of $35,971 in 2025. That was the lowest among Texas workforce areas, according to the Texas Workforce Commission’s Labor Market Review.
The Cameron County workforce area ranked second-lowest at $36,942. Both figures were well below the statewide median annual wage of $48,621. The difference between the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the statewide median was $12,650, or about 26%.
By comparison, the Capital Area workforce region that includes Austin recorded Texas’ highest median annual wage at $59,784 — nearly $24,000 more than the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
The figures present a challenge for local economic-development leaders. South Texas has announced major projects in manufacturing, logistics, health care, energy and aerospace, but large capital investments do not automatically produce broad wage gains. The effect depends on how many permanent jobs are created, their required skills and whether employers recruit and train workers locally.
Median wage figures represent the midpoint of workers’ earnings, meaning half earn more and half earn less. They differ from average wages, which can be pushed higher by a relatively small number of high earners.
Workforce programs at area colleges and universities have increasingly emphasized nursing, advanced manufacturing, engineering, cybersecurity and skilled trades. Closing the wage gap will also depend on job quality, career advancement and the region’s ability to retain graduates.
The 2025 data provide a baseline for measuring whether the Valley’s latest investment announcements ultimately translate into higher household incomes.
Published Aug. 2, 2026. Wage figures are from the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Review.
