Highest-paying science jobs in Houston
Written by:
February 9, 2023
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Highest-paying science jobs in Houston
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying science jobs in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "life, physical, and social science occupations" were included.
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#30. Social science research assistants
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $45,860
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
- Annual mean salary: $45,860
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,430
- Employment: 28,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($88,730)
--- Columbia, SC ($77,760)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($70,570)
#29. Food science technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $47,510
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- Employment: 11,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($66,580)
--- Owensboro, KY ($63,700)
--- Columbus, OH ($61,420)
- Annual mean salary: $47,510
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- Employment: 11,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($66,580)
--- Owensboro, KY ($63,700)
--- Columbus, OH ($61,420)
#28. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $53,760
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
- Annual mean salary: $53,760
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,550
- Employment: 34,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($79,780)
--- Huntsville, AL ($78,320)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($76,970)
#27. Conservation scientists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $59,670
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,230
- Employment: 22,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($108,670)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($106,200)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($101,900)
- Annual mean salary: $59,670
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,230
- Employment: 22,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($108,670)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($106,200)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($101,900)
#26. Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $61,840
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 940
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 9,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($89,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($88,050)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($86,860)
- Annual mean salary: $61,840
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 940
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 9,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($89,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($88,050)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($86,860)
#25. Occupational health and safety technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $62,090
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
- Annual mean salary: $62,090
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
#24. Microbiologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $62,410
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
- Annual mean salary: $62,410
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,820
- Employment: 19,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Knoxville, TN ($125,380)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($121,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,340)
#23. Anthropologists and archeologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $62,780
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 6,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($85,120)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($84,300)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,990)
- Annual mean salary: $62,780
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 6,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($85,120)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($84,300)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,990)
#22. Forensic science technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $64,310
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
- Annual mean salary: $64,310
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)
#21. Soil and plant scientists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,790
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 15,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($111,450)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($109,490)
--- Raleigh, NC ($109,320)
- Annual mean salary: $68,790
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 15,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($111,450)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($109,490)
--- Raleigh, NC ($109,320)
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#20. Urban and regional planners
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $73,320
- #116 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
- Annual mean salary: $73,320
- #116 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,310
- Employment: 38,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($119,680)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,740)
#19. Chemical technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $73,630
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,200
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
- Annual mean salary: $73,630
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,200
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,040
- Employment: 57,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($86,340)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($78,000)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($77,020)
#18. School psychologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $73,770
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,900
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
- Annual mean salary: $73,770
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,900
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,770
- Employment: 57,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($116,280)
--- El Centro, CA ($116,010)
--- Fresno, CA ($115,360)
#17. Historians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $75,260
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,130
- Employment: 2,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($101,240)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($89,840)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($86,780)
- Annual mean salary: $75,260
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,130
- Employment: 2,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($101,240)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($89,840)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($86,780)
#16. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $77,440
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,450
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
- Annual mean salary: $77,440
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,450
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,050
- Employment: 108,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($176,770)
--- Columbia, SC ($155,570)
--- Danbury, CT ($151,970)
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#15. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $78,730
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
- Annual mean salary: $78,730
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- Employment: 76,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($116,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,710)
#14. Occupational health and safety specialists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $81,640
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,160
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
- Annual mean salary: $81,640
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,160
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)
#13. Epidemiologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $83,720
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 8,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($145,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($139,240)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($124,460)
- Annual mean salary: $83,720
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,740
- Employment: 8,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($145,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($139,240)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($124,460)
#12. Biochemists and biophysicists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $83,930
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
- Annual mean salary: $83,930
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,460
- Employment: 35,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($135,070)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,520)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($133,390)
#11. Clinical and counseling psychologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $85,720
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
- Annual mean salary: $85,720
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- Employment: 58,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($136,630)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,200)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($133,060)
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#10. Food scientists and technologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $86,280
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 13,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,970)
--- Wichita, KS ($102,100)
- Annual mean salary: $86,280
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 13,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,970)
--- Wichita, KS ($102,100)
#9. Atmospheric and space scientists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $86,310
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,880
- Employment: 8,520
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($118,420)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($114,860)
- Annual mean salary: $86,310
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,880
- Employment: 8,520
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($118,420)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($114,860)
#8. Zoologists and wildlife biologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $89,910
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- Employment: 15,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($109,570)
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($106,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,350)
- Annual mean salary: $89,910
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- Employment: 15,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($109,570)
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($106,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,350)
#7. Chemists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $101,570
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
- Annual mean salary: $101,570
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,130
- Employment: 80,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,290)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($115,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($108,330)
#6. Hydrologic technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $108,260
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,760
- Employment: 3,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($126,900)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($108,260)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($86,310)
- Annual mean salary: $108,260
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,760
- Employment: 3,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($126,900)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($108,260)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($86,310)
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#5. Economists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $115,590
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $120,830
- Employment: 15,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($162,870)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,320)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($156,360)
- Annual mean salary: $115,590
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $120,830
- Employment: 15,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($162,870)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,320)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($156,360)
#4. Materials scientists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $117,220
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
- Annual mean salary: $117,220
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,790
- Employment: 6,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($142,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,480)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($133,380)
#3. Astronomers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $132,810
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $139,410
- Employment: 1,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,820)
--- Boulder, CO ($139,090)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,250)
- Annual mean salary: $132,810
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $139,410
- Employment: 1,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,820)
--- Boulder, CO ($139,090)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($136,250)
#2. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $161,290
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,700
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
- Annual mean salary: $161,290
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,700
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,550
- Employment: 23,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($161,290)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($156,870)
--- Midland, TX ($156,270)
#1. Physicists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $188,250
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
- Annual mean salary: $188,250
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- Employment: 20,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($199,830)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($195,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,250)
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