Of these, 31 were approved (96.9%), while one was denied (3.1%).
Employers are classified under industries based on their reported operations and may be involved in multiple industries.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. It is designed to address skill gaps in the U.S. workforce while ensuring wage standards to protect both U.S. and H-1B workers. Employers must certify that they will pay H-1B workers wages equal to or greater than those of similarly qualified U.S. employees or the prevailing local wage.
The average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States in 2024 stood at 98%, higher than 2023's 97.3%. Statewide, Texas employers across all industries submitted 56,158 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.6%.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 39,217 petitions, representing 69.8% of all submissions in Texas during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Manufacturing industry, which accounted for 4,192 petitions and represented 7.5% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Manufacturing industry, 38,111 were approved and 1,106 were denied.
The Texas employers which made the most petitions in the Public Administration sector during 2024 included City of San Antonio Acting by and Through City Public Service Board CPS Energy with six petitions, Academic Partnerships, LLC with five petitions, and Envision Energy USA, Ltd. with three petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Public Administration sector in Texas saw a 128.6% increase in the number of H-1B petitions during 2024.
The United States admits around 1 million legal immigrants annually, most of whom receive permanent residence (green cards) through family sponsorship or employment-based visas. In 2023, about 1.2 million immigrants were granted green cards, a return to pre-pandemic levels. Temporary visa programs, such as the H-1B for highly skilled workers and H-2A for seasonal agricultural workers, also play a critical role in filling workforce needs.
Public opinion on immigration varies, with 46% of Americans favoring maintaining current legal immigration levels, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. Additionally, 42% believe that highly skilled workers, such as scientists, doctors, and programmers, should be prioritized for legal immigration, compared to 25% who prioritize workers filling labor shortages and 19% who emphasize family sponsorship. Despite this, family sponsorship remains the most common path to permanent residency, accounting for 63% of green cards issued in 2023.
The data in this article comes from the H-1B Employer Data Hub provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While USCIS strives for accuracy, manual data entry and errors on paper forms submitted by applicants or petitioners may result in discrepancies in employer names, tax IDs, locations, or other details.
| Rank | Industry | Total Petitions | % of All Submissions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 39,217 | 69.8% | 97.2% | 2.8% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 4,192 | 7.5% | 99% | 1% |
| 3 | Information | 3,649 | 6.5% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 4 | Educational Services | 2,640 | 4.7% | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 5 | Finance and Insurance | 1,331 | 2.4% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 6 | Wholesale Trade | 1,171 | 2.1% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 7 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 874 | 1.6% | 96.6% | 3.4% |
| 8 | Transportation and Warehousing | 518 | 0.9% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 9 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 454 | 0.8% | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 10 | Retail Trade | 452 | 0.8% | 97.1% | 2.9% |
| 11 | Construction | 432 | 0.8% | 97.7% | 2.3% |
| 12 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 281 | 0.5% | 96.8% | 3.2% |
| 13 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 262 | 0.5% | 98.9% | 1.2% |
| 14 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 231 | 0.4% | 97.8% | 2.2% |
| 15 | Utilities | 164 | 0.3% | 99.4% | 0.6% |
| 16 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 99 | 0.2% | 92.9% | 7.1% |
| 17 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 81 | 0.1% | 97.5% | 2.5% |
| 18 | Accommodation and Food Services | 60 | 0.1% | 98.3% | 1.7% |
| 19 | Public Administration | 32 | 0.1% | 96.9% | 3.1% |
| 20 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 18 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Public Administration Industry in Texas, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of San Antonio Acting by and Through City Public Service Board CPS Energy | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Academic Partnerships, LLC | 5 | 80% | 20% |
| 3 | Envision Energy USA, Ltd. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Harris County | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | NRG Energy, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Houston Galveston Area Council | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Texas Water Development Board | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | City of Crowley | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Texas Commission of Fire Protection | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | City of Corinth | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Red River Authority of Texas | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | City of Austin | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Edwards Aquifer Authority | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | City of Abilene Texas | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | North Central Texas Trauma Regiona | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | City of Plainview | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Inframark, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Westchase District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | City of Manvel | 1 | 100% | 0% |