The health care industry is among the fastest-growing in Central Texas, with an expected annual growth rate of 2.4%, adding about 6,780 workers per year, according to Ashley King, director of health care partnerships at Workforce Solutions Capital Area.

Job Market Trends

As of November, the education and health services sector had added 4,100 jobs, or 2.5% growth, from the prior year, according to Opportunity Austin’s January 2026 economic indicators. Meanwhile, the information sector, which includes most of Austin’s tech workforce, declined 2.4%, or about 1,200 jobs, during the same time frame.

King said the health care sector cannot train workers fast enough to fill the jobs being created. Nursing programs across the country turned away 93,176 qualified applications in 2025—a record high—primarily due to insufficient clinical placement sites, faculty shortages and limited classroom space, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Addressing the Shortage

Despite the hurdles, health sciences was the fastest-growing area of study at Austin Community College in fall 2025, with enrollment up 18.3%—the largest increase of any program area—according to enrollment data. The Central Texas Healthcare Academy was formally launched on May 11 to address the shortage, with about 560 students enrolled for the free dual credit program this fall.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.