The best paying jobs in Longview, Texas are mostly in healthcare and manufacturing. Registered nurses in the Longview area average about $84,880 a year, and the area's two hospitals and Eastman Chemical are the biggest employers in town.
Here is who hires the most, what common jobs pay, and where new jobs are coming from.
What is the main industry in Longview?
Healthcare and manufacturing. The Longview Economic Development Corporation says the area has more than 6,000 manufacturing workers at 152 manufacturers. Its top employers list includes CHRISTUS Good Shepherd, Longview Regional Medical Center, Eastman, MG Foods, Capacity of Texas and Trinity Rail.
Longview grew up on East Texas oil, and energy and industrial work still shape the job market. Today the biggest single employers are the hospitals.
The biggest employers in Longview
| Employer | Employees | Type |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System | about 3,000 | Healthcare |
| Eastman Chemical, Texas Operations | about 1,510 | Chemical manufacturing |
| Longview Regional Medical Center | about 1,393 | Healthcare |
Source: Longview Economic Development figures in the HUD Longview housing market profile, October 2024. The Dallas Fed also names CHRISTUS Good Shepherd the largest employer, with more than 3,000 on payroll.
Other employers named by state and local sources include Komatsu, Trinity Rail, AAON, Westlake, Genpak and Norris Cylinder (Business in Texas), plus Longview ISD, the City of Longview, LeTourneau University and Kilgore College.
What jobs pay in Longview
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Longview metro area, May 2025 (BLS):
| Job | Average yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered nurses | $84,880 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $55,940 |
| All jobs, average | $55,480 |
| Electricians | $52,560 |
The average hourly pay across all jobs was $26.68, compared with $33.54 for the U.S. Pay is lower than in Dallas or Houston, but so is rent. A 2 bedroom apartment in Longview averages about $1,143 a month (Rentometer, May 2026).
Good paying fields to look at: nursing and other hospital roles, skilled trades (electrical, welding, maintenance), plant operations, commercial driving, and engineering and technical roles at the manufacturers.
New projects bringing jobs
- Ninth Avenue Foods is building a dairy plant at 5921 Lou Galosy Way in the North Longview Business Park. It is expected to bring about 150 full-time jobs. Construction started in July 2026, with completion targeted for November 2027 (KLTV; KLTV).
- CHRISTUS cancer center. CHRISTUS broke ground on a new cancer center in Longview in January 2025 (CHRISTUS Health).
- Eastman recycling plant: on hold. Eastman announced a $1.2 billion plant in Longview, but delayed construction in August 2025 after a federal grant was cancelled (Chemical Processing). We found no new start date as of October 2026. Eastman's existing Longview site is still one of the largest employers in town.
Is Longview hiring right now?
The Longview metro unemployment rate was 4.8% in August 2026 (FRED / BLS). That means jobs are available but not easy to get in every field. Healthcare and skilled trades tend to have the most steady openings.
Where to look for jobs in Longview
- Employer career pages: CHRISTUS Health, Longview Regional Medical Center, Eastman, Komatsu and Trinity Rail all post openings on their own sites.
- City of Longview jobs: longviewtexas.gov lists city openings.
- Workforce Solutions East Texas helps with job search and training.
- Kilgore College and LeTourneau University run training and degree programs tied to local industries.
Moving to Longview for a job
If you have an offer, you can usually rent before you arrive. Many apartment communities accept a signed offer letter as proof of income. Ask the leasing office first what to have ready.
Pick your apartment by your commute. Longview is small enough that most drives take 15 minutes or less, but shift workers feel every mile. Our commute guide has drive times to the hospitals, Eastman and LeTourneau.
Living near work: Grace Pointe
Grace Pointe Apartments at 113 Magnolia Ln in north Longview is about a mile from Longview Regional Medical Center and about 6 minutes from CHRISTUS Good Shepherd. The 2 bedroom, 2 bath plans are 962 and 986 square feet, from $1,295 a month, with a pool, gated entry, on-site management and 24-hour emergency maintenance. See floor plans or schedule a tour. Call 903-414-6336.
Get the Longview move-in checklist
Taking a job in Longview, TX? Leave your name, email and phone below and we'll send you our free Longview move-in checklist: utilities, car registration in Gregg County, the driver license office, and what to do on move-in day. We'll also send current availability and pricing at Grace Pointe, including move-in dates that line up with your start date.