Careers in Killeen-Temple, TX
What working and living here is really like
Working in Killeen-Temple
Central Texas between Austin and Waco exists because of the Army. Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), one of the largest military installations in the world, employs tens of thousands of soldiers and shapes every aspect of Killeen-Temple. Only 48% of residents were born in Texas, the lowest Texas rate in this batch—the military constantly rotates people through.
The $45K median salary with cost of living 8% below average reflects military pay and the service economy that supports it. The 3.8% unemployment masks the reality that non-military career options are limited. The towns themselves are functional, not charming—strip malls, car dealerships, fast food—built to serve a transient military population.
Killeen-Temple works if you're connected to the Army. Military families find community with others who understand the lifestyle. Temple has developed a healthcare economy somewhat independent of the base. Austin is 60 miles south for anything the region lacks. But choosing this area without military ties means choosing limited opportunity and unremarkable surroundings when you could be anywhere else.
Top industries in Killeen-Temple, TX
The industries that shape Killeen-Temple, TX's employment landscape — by total jobs or local specialization.
Sectors where Killeen-Temple punches above its weight. A 2× means twice the national share of jobs in that sector, adjusted for metro size.
Earning potential
Salaries here run about 9.9% below national averages — but that doesn't account for what your dollar actually buys.
Job market over time
Current unemployment tells you one thing. The trend over a decade tells you something more useful about resilience and trajectory.
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Metros with a similar profile
Other metro areas that share key characteristics with Killeen-Temple, TX.
Metros where the same industries punch above their weight
Getting to work
Time spent commuting is time you're not spending on anything else.
State laws that affect your career
From taxes to worker protections — the policies that shape your take-home pay and flexibility.
Where residents come from
The mix of locals and transplants shapes a city's culture and openness to newcomers.
Leisure & hospitality employment
Employment in recreation and hospitality sectors — a proxy for what's popular here.
Food scene
Chains dominate the strip-mall landscape, built for quick meals on military schedules. But Temple's downtown has developed some local character—Mayan Ranch serves Tex-Mex with followers. Korean restaurants have followed the military population. Barbecue joints dot the region. Austin answers any serious culinary ambitions—close enough for dinner out.
The Bell County Expo Center brings events. Vive Les Arts Theatre provides community performances. Nightlife is modest: sports bars, local spots, and the usual military-town establishments. Temple's downtown has more character than Killeen's commercial strips. Austin provides music, clubs, and cultural events. Here, social life often happens within unit communities and military networks.
Climate
Weather patterns that shape daily life and outdoor time.
Starting a business here
New business filings per worker — a measure of economic dynamism and how often people go out on their own.
Who tends to thrive here
An honest look at the careers and situations where Killeen-Temple, TX tends to work well — and where it doesn't.
Common questions about working in Killeen-Temple, TX
How much do people make in Killeen-Temple, TX?
Median pay across all occupations in Killeen-Temple, TX is about $45K, roughly 9.9% below the typical U.S. metro (BLS OEWS).
How far does a salary go in Killeen-Temple, TX?
Adjusted for local prices, Killeen-Temple, TX's $45K median works out to about $49K in national purchasing-power terms — roughly 1.8% less buying power than the typical U.S. metro (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023).
How many jobs are there in Killeen-Temple, TX?
The Killeen-Temple, TX metro area has roughly 148,640 jobs across all occupations (BLS OEWS).
What are the biggest industries in Killeen-Temple, TX?
By employment, the largest industries in Killeen-Temple, TX are Local Government Services, Federal Government, and Hospitals & Medical Centers.
What is the unemployment rate in Killeen-Temple, TX?
Unemployment in Killeen-Temple, TX is about 3.8% as of Dec 2023 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics).
What is the average commute in Killeen-Temple, TX?
The average commute in Killeen-Temple, TX runs about 23.3 minutes, versus a national average of about 26.7 minutes (Census ACS).
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Don't know if you want to stay in your job?
Get your career on record. Then decide.