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Texas State Guide
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ExecSearches.com — State Guide
From the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas’s 159,370 nonprofits employ 576,031 people and generate $216 billion in annual revenue, making it the second or third largest nonprofit market in the nation.
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Texas does not have a nonprofit market. It has several of them, each large enough to qualify as a standalone state economy. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex alone houses 48,066 registered nonprofits, which would make it the 10th largest nonprofit ecosystem in the country if counted separately. Houston’s nonprofit corridor anchors the world’s largest medical center and includes food banks that process hundreds of millions of dollars in annual distributions. Austin’s tech-fueled growth has turned it into one of the fastest-expanding nonprofit labor markets in the Sun Belt. And San Antonio, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley each operate with distinct demographic pressures, funding streams, and executive talent needs that have little in common with one another. For a national perspective on nonprofit executive markets across all 50 states, see the ExecSearches National Hub.
What unifies these markets is scale and velocity. Texas added 284,200 nonfarm jobs from December 2023 to December 2024, more than any other state, and its labor force reached a historic high of 15,575,900 in December 2024, according to the Texas Workforce Commission and the Governor’s Office. The nonprofit sector rode that same growth wave: the number of registered organizations grew 22% between 2015 and 2022, with public charities alone jumping 35% during the same period, according to Texas Nonprofit Strong. That expansion created executive vacancies faster than the talent pipeline could fill them, which is why Texas remains one of the most active markets nationally for nonprofit leadership recruitment.
Yet the scale can be deceptive. Texas ranks among the lowest states proportionally for nonprofit employment: just 5.1% of the private sector workforce, compared to the national average of 9.9%, according to BLS data. That gap reflects the state’s enormous for-profit economy, especially in energy, technology, and construction, rather than a weak nonprofit sector. In absolute terms, Texas’s 576,031 nonprofit jobs place it third nationally behind California and New York. The practical effect for executive job seekers is a market with strong demand, competitive salaries, and less saturation from the coastal talent pools that drive up competition in markets like Washington, D.C. or Boston.
1. The Healthcare Colossus. Texas nonprofit hospitals dominate the state’s charitable sector in a way few other states can match. Memorial Hermann ($8.5 billion in annual revenue), Texas Children’s Hospital ($3.8 billion), Houston Methodist, Baylor Scott & White Health, and UT Southwestern collectively employ more than 150,000 people. Their philanthropic arms, community health programs, and administrative functions create thousands of executive-tier positions in development, operations, compliance, government relations, and strategy. Organizations with budgets above $100 million account for 66.6% of all Texas nonprofit revenues, and the majority of those are healthcare systems.
2. The Food Security Infrastructure. Texas has built one of the most sophisticated food banking networks in the country. The Houston Food Bank ($366 million in annual revenue), North Texas Food Bank ($211 million), and San Antonio Food Bank ($217 million) are among the largest food distribution nonprofits anywhere. These organizations employ hundreds and recruit senior leaders for logistics, operations, marketing, development, and government affairs at salaries that often exceed $150,000.
3. No State Income Tax Advantage. Texas is one of seven states with no personal income tax. For a nonprofit executive earning $150,000, that translates to roughly $7,500 to $10,000 more in annual take-home pay compared to California, New York, or Illinois. Combined with a cost of living that runs 7% below the national urban average, this structural advantage makes Texas compensation packages more competitive than the headline numbers suggest. Boards and compensation committees can attract national talent at lower nominal salaries while delivering better real purchasing power.
4. The Bilingual Imperative. Texas’s demographic composition creates unique executive requirements. Nearly 40% of the state population is Hispanic or Latino, and border regions like El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley operate bilingual institutions as a default. Nonprofit executives who are fluent in Spanish and English command a significant premium, particularly in human services, healthcare, education, and community development. This is not a “nice to have” credential in Texas; it is a core operational competency for leaders serving many of the state’s largest communities.
5. Foundation Wealth Concentration. Texas’s 16,203 foundations hold $99 billion in combined assets and distribute $5.3 billion annually, according to Cause IQ and the Bush School at Texas A&M. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation alone generates $4.3 billion in annual revenue from its Austin base. Communities Foundation of Texas in Dallas manages over $1 billion in assets and runs North Texas Giving Day, which raised $78 million for 3,500 nonprofits in 2025. This concentration of philanthropic capital creates executive positions in grantmaking, program management, and donor relations at levels that rival the largest community foundations on either coast.
Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Irving, Arlington. 48,066 nonprofits. Corporate philanthropy, healthcare, education, United Way. COL Index: ~97 to 100. Median 1BR: $1,402. ED median: $176,000 to $193,000.
Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land. 26,000+ nonprofits. Texas Medical Center, food security, energy philanthropy. COL Index: ~92 to 95. Median 1BR: $1,182. ED median: $178,000 to $196,000.
Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park. Fastest-growing market. Tech philanthropy, university anchor (UT), Dell Foundation. COL Index: ~95 to 100. Median 1BR: $1,382. ED median: $114,000 to $123,000.
San Antonio, New Braunfels. Military/veteran services, healthcare (CHRISTUS, University Health), food banking. COL Index: ~82 to 88. Median 1BR: $1,076. ED median: $100,000 to $115,000.
El Paso, Las Cruces corridor. Bilingual imperative, border health, immigration services. COL Index: ~72 to 78. Median 1BR: $967. ED median: $100,000 to $163,000.
McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville. Highest need, lowest resources. Human services, education equity, health access. COL Index: ~60 to 68. Median 1BR: $821. ED median: $55,000 to $80,000.
Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa. Agricultural/energy economy overlap, university anchor (Texas Tech). COL Index: ~65 to 72. Median 1BR: $855. ED median: $55,000 to $85,000.
Texas nonprofit compensation reflects the same geographic diversity that defines the rest of the market. An executive director leading a $5 million organization in Houston’s Texas Medical Center corridor may earn $160,000 to $225,000, while the same role at a comparably-sized human services organization in Lubbock might pay $85,000 to $120,000. The statewide median across all budget sizes is approximately $112,597, according to Salary.com, but that number obscures wide variation by region, sector, and organizational scale. Understanding these dynamics is essential for both candidates evaluating offers and boards calibrating competitive compensation.
| Organization Budget | National Median | Texas Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $250K | ~$50,000 | $45,000 to $52,000 | Often part-time or founder-led; 58% women |
| $250K to $500K | $65,000 to $70,000 | $58,000 to $65,000 | Full-time with basic benefits |
| $500K to $1M | $80,000 to $95,000 | $72,000 to $88,000 | Competitive for experienced managers |
| $1M to $2.5M | $95,000 to $130,000 | $88,000 to $120,000 | Diversified funding, multi-staff |
| $2.5M to $5M | $130,000 to $175,000 | $118,000 to $158,000 | Regional operations, specialized programs |
| $5M to $10M | $175,000 to $250,000 | $160,000 to $225,000 | Complex ops, private sector competition |
| $10M to $25M | $250,000 to $400,000 | $225,000 to $360,000 | Multi-location, 100+ staff |
| $25M to $50M | $400,000 to $550,000 | $360,000 to $490,000 | National/regional scale |
| Over $50M | $495,165 (median) | $430,000 to $560,000+ | Top hospital CEOs reach $4M to $18M |
| Sources: Candid 2025 Nonprofit Compensation Report (2023 IRS data); Salary.com; ZipRecruiter. Texas typically runs 10 to 15% below national median due to lower COL vs. coastal markets. | |||
| Sub-Region | Salary.com Median | ZipRecruiter Avg | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) | $176,100 to $193,100 | $62,500 to $63,200 | ~97 to 100 |
| Houston Metro | $178,100 to $196,200 | ~$60,000 | ~92 to 95 |
| Austin Metro | $114,294 to $122,795 | $62,654 | ~95 to 100 |
| San Antonio | $100,000 to $115,000 | $57,014 | ~82 to 88 |
| El Paso | $100,522 to $163,400 | $74,296 | ~72 to 78 |
| Rio Grande Valley | $55,000 to $80,000 | ~$61,483 | ~60 to 68 |
| West Texas | $55,000 to $85,000 | $61,191 to $63,783 | ~65 to 72 |
| Sources: Salary.com; ZipRecruiter; United Way of Greater Houston 2025 Survey (CEO avg: $174,916). Salary.com includes larger orgs/hospital systems; ZipRecruiter skews toward smaller posted roles. | |||
| Sector | National Median | Texas Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science & Tech Research | $202,490 | $175,000 to $195,000 | Highest paid sector nationally |
| Healthcare (General) | $198,000 | $170,000 to $190,000 | Hospital system CEOs far exceed these ranges |
| Higher Education | $175,000 to $200,000 | $155,000 to $185,000 | University-adjacent nonprofits |
| Food, Agriculture & Nutrition | $109,600 | $95,000 to $105,000 | TX food banks are major employers |
| Human Services | $100,000 to $130,000 | $90,000 to $120,000 | Social services, housing, workforce dev |
| Community Development | $90,000 to $115,000 | $80,000 to $105,000 | CDFIs, neighborhood orgs |
| Arts, Culture & Humanities | $75,000 to $95,000 | $68,000 to $88,000 | Museums, performing arts, cultural centers |
| Religion-Related | $68,958 | $62,000 to $72,000 | Lowest sector nationally; TX has 33,438 religious orgs |
| Sources: Candid 2025 Nonprofit Compensation Report; NonprofitPRO. Texas typically 10 to 15% below national median. National median CEO all sizes: $110,000 (2023 IRS data). | |||
Standard (95%+): Health/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, paid time off, professional development stipend.
Common (60 to 75%): Employer 403(b) match (3% to 6%), hybrid/remote work flexibility, tuition reimbursement, life and disability insurance.
Premium (25 to 40%): Performance bonuses, sabbatical programs, relocation assistance, executive coaching, housing stipends (Austin/DFW markets).
Texas-Specific: No state income tax (effective 7% to 10% salary boost vs. coastal states); Teacher Retirement System of Texas for K-12 and some university employees; 38% of DFW nonprofits ended FY2024 with an operating deficit (NFF 2025 Survey), putting pressure on retention strategies and benefits competitiveness.
Texas nonprofit hospitals are the state’s largest charitable employers by a wide margin. These systems collectively employ more than 200,000 people and regularly recruit for philanthropy, community health, government affairs, compliance, and C-suite positions that align closely with nonprofit executive career paths.
Dallas. Largest not-for-profit health system in Texas. 49,000+ employees, 52 hospitals, 1,000+ access points statewide.
Arlington (DFW). 28,000 employees, 29 hospital locations. Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For 2024.
Houston. $8.5 billion revenue, 27,000+ employees. 17 hospitals including Level I Trauma Center.
Houston. 8-hospital system, ~27,000 employees. Consistently ranked among top U.S. hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
Houston. Nation’s #1 pediatric hospital (U.S. News). $3.8 billion revenue, ~14,000 employees. Austin expansion underway.
Houston. World’s leading cancer center, #1 U.S. News ranking. ~22,000 employees. Part of UT System.
Dallas. Academic medical center, ~19,000 employees, 6 hospitals. Nobel Prize-winning researchers.
Irving. Catholic nonprofit system, 25+ hospitals across Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. 15,000+ Texas employees.
Dallas. Dallas County’s public safety-net hospital and Level I Trauma Center. ~10,000 employees. Academic partner with UT Southwestern.
Fort Worth. Independent nonprofit pediatric health system serving North Texas. ~6,000 employees.
Texas’s public sector employers are major sources of nonprofit-adjacent positions in social services, community development, planning, public health, and administration. The CAPPS Recruit system serves as the central portal for most state agencies.
Central portal covering 100+ agencies including HHSC, TxDOT, DPS, and TEA. Hundreds of statewide openings at any time.
4th-largest U.S. city. ~22,000 employees across dozens of departments. Uses NEOGOV platform.
9th-largest U.S. city. Large civil service workforce using Workday for non-civil service positions.
Most populous county in Texas (~4.9 million residents). Major employer in public health, social services, courts, and infrastructure.
7th-largest U.S. city. Large municipal workforce across public safety, utilities, parks, and health.
Capital of Texas. Fast-growing city government employing thousands in technology, sustainability, public health, and transportation.
Texas universities are among the state’s largest employers and actively recruit for development, advancement, administration, and community engagement positions that align closely with nonprofit executive career paths.
Flagship UT System campus. Top-tier research university, 24,000+ faculty and staff. One of Central Texas’s largest employers.
College Station. Largest Texas university by enrollment (~74,000 students). ~20,000 employees.
Houston. Elite private research university. Consistently ranked among top universities nationally. ~4,000 staff.
Dallas. Private research university. ~5,000 employees. Strong business, law, and arts programs.
Largest school district in Texas, 8th-largest in the U.S. ~270 schools, ~200,000 students, ~27,000 employees.
2nd-largest Texas district. ~230 schools, ~145,000 students, ~22,000 employees.
Austin’s primary public school district. ~75,000 students, ~11,000 employees.
Texas’s largest pure nonprofits span food security, human services, community grantmaking, and youth development. These organizations recruit for executive leadership, operations, development, marketing, and government affairs positions.
Houston. ~$366M annual revenue (FY2024). One of the nation’s largest food distribution nonprofits.
Houston. ~$225M annual revenue. Workforce development and retail operations.
San Antonio. ~$217M annual revenue (FY2024). Major South Texas food security operation.
Dallas. ~$211M annual revenue (FY2023). Serves 13 North Texas counties.
Houston. ~$166M annual revenue. Youth, community development, and wellness programs.
Houston. ~$103M annual revenue. Human services, disaster relief, immigration assistance.
Texas’s philanthropic infrastructure is among the largest in the country. The state’s 16,203 foundations hold $99 billion in combined assets and distribute an estimated $5.3 billion annually, according to Cause IQ and the Bush School at Texas A&M University. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in Austin ($4.3 billion revenue, $5.4 billion assets) is the state’s largest by revenue. Dallas and Houston each house thousands of foundations, and the five major community foundations collectively manage billions in donor-advised and endowed funds.
Dallas. $1B+ assets, ~$249M revenue (FY2025). Runs North Texas Giving Day, which raised $78M for 3,500 nonprofits in 2025.
Houston. Major philanthropic infrastructure organization serving the greater Houston area.
Fort Worth. Strengthens nonprofits through grants, civic leadership, and donor services in Tarrant County and beyond.
Foundation grantmaking in Texas is concentrated in education (21% of grant dollars), human services (18%), and health (15%), according to the Bush School at Texas A&M. The remaining 46% is distributed across arts, environment, community development, and public affairs. Austin leads in foundation revenue ($5.1 billion) despite having fewer foundations than Dallas (4,196) or Houston (3,842), largely due to the Dell Foundation’s outsized presence.
Texas nonprofit executive roles span every major metro. Use the links below to search by region, or set up a free job alert to be notified the moment a matching position is posted.
Not finding the right role today? ExecSearches lets you drill down by function, location, sector, and organization type, then alerts you the moment a matching role is posted. Create more than one alert for different search criteria.
Founded in 1999. The nation’s leading nonprofit executive job board and search platform with 27 years of service. Job postings ($99/30 days) reach 85,000+ job seekers. Full recruiter and search services available for organizations seeking senior leadership.
DFW-based, founded 1991 (35+ years). Exclusively nonprofit. Specializes in fund development, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns for healthcare, education, arts, and human services organizations.
Dallas, founded ~2005. Exclusively nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. Serves foundations, associations, cultural institutions, and civic causes. Board advisory during leadership transitions.
Austin office (national firm). Nonprofit executive search and staffing. Serves nonprofits, foundations, and health organizations. Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firm. CEO/ED, CFO, CDO, and DEI leadership searches.
National firm with strong Texas reach. Premier nonprofit executive search in higher education, healthcare, advocacy, and foundations. Development/advancement and CEO/ED leadership placements.
National firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Active in Texas for nonprofits, public sector, and social impact organizations. Has placed leaders at UTSA and other Texas institutions.
Texas Nonprofit Strong (formerly Texas Nonprofit Network) is the state’s primary sector advocacy organization, tracking state and federal legislation affecting nonprofits and providing education and resources. It operates as a member of the National Council of Nonprofits. txnonprofits.org
OneStar Foundation in Austin serves as Texas’s State Service Commission (official AmeriCorps state commission) and manages $18M+ in federal AmeriCorps grant funds. It convenes statewide networks for nonprofit capacity building, volunteerism, and community engagement. onestarfoundation.org
AFP Texas Chapters: Greater Houston (3rd-largest AFP chapter in the world, 500+ members), Greater Dallas, Greater Austin, San Antonio & South Texas, and Fort Worth Metro. These chapters are the primary professional networks for fundraising executives across the state.
Texas’s cost of living is one of the strongest arguments for nonprofit executives considering a move from coastal markets. The state has no personal income tax, and even the most expensive metro (Dallas) has a cost of living index near the national average, while San Antonio, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley offer significant savings. For an executive earning $150,000, the absence of state income tax alone means roughly $7,500 to $10,000 more in annual take-home pay compared to California or New York.
| City | COL Index | Avg 1BR Rent | Avg 2BR Rent | Comfortable Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 65.8 | $1,402 | $1,855 | $107,061 |
| Austin | 61.7 | $1,382 | $1,795 | $114,659 |
| Houston | 60.6 | $1,182 | $1,501 | $93,818 |
| Fort Worth | ~90 to 95 | $1,259 | $1,580 | ~$100,000 |
| San Antonio | 58.8 | $1,076 | $1,369 | $93,355 |
| El Paso | ~72 to 78 | $967 | $1,137 | ~$80,000 |
| Lubbock | ~65 to 72 | $855 | $1,020 | ~$70,000 |
| Sources: Numbeo COL Index (2025); Apartments.com (March 2026); Fox26/InnovationMap comfortable income study. COL Index relative to NYC = 100, excluding rent. | ||||
Beyond the numbers, Texas offers a combination of economic dynamism, cultural diversity, and geographic variety that appeals to nonprofit leaders at every career stage. Houston’s Texas Medical Center is the world’s largest medical complex and a magnet for healthcare philanthropy professionals. Austin’s live music, tech culture, and university ecosystem attract younger executives and first-time EDs. Dallas/Fort Worth’s corporate headquarters density (AT&T, American Airlines, CBRE, McKesson) means strong corporate philanthropy partnerships. And the border regions offer deeply meaningful community impact work that few other states can match.
Categories: State Job Guides | Texas Nonprofit Jobs | Executive Career Resources | Salary & Compensation Data | Southwest Nonprofit Market | Relocation Guides
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