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Employment in West Waco / Western Waco Area

West Waco is a primarily residential community, and most of its working residents commute to employers located throughout the broader Waco metropolitan area. The western corridor — including Woodway and Hewitt — is served by a robust regional economy anchored by healthcare, education, advanced manufacturing, aerospace/defense, and logistics. Notably, 44.1% of West Waco residents are employed in executive, management, and professional occupations, suggesting a highly educated workforce.

Major Industry Segments

Greater Waco's economy is built around five strategic target industries, all of which have a presence in or near the western Waco corridor:

1. Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the largest employment sectors in the Waco metro. The region has seen more than $580 million in healthcare facility expansions since 2005, and health and education employment accounts for approximately 18% of the economy.

2. Education

Waco is a major educational hub with Baylor University, McLennan Community College (MCC), and Texas State Technical College (TSTC) all within the metro area. Midway ISD itself is one of the largest local employers.

3. Advanced Manufacturing & Food Production

Manufacturing accounts for approximately 14% of the local economy — exceeding both state and national averages. Key sub-sectors include food processing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace components, and transportation equipment.

4. Aerospace & Defense

The Waco region is home to a nationally recognized aerospace and defense cluster. Companies in this sector perform aircraft maintenance, modification, and defense contracting work at Waco Regional Airport, which is close to the western Waco area.

5. Supply Chain Management & Logistics

Greater Waco is home to more than 420 distribution centers employing more than 6,000 workers across nearly 7 million square feet of warehouse/distribution space. The city's location at the midpoint of the I-35 corridor between Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin is a major advantage.

6. Professional and Financial Services

Accounting, finance, insurance, legal, engineering, and business support services are a growing segment, catering to both local businesses and the broader region.

Major Employers (Western Waco Area and Broader Metro)

Healthcare

  • Ascension Providence Hospital
  • One of Waco's two major hospital systems; a Level II Trauma Center with a wide array of specialty services. Located on Providence Dr in central Waco.

  • Typical Roles: Physicians, nurses, medical technicians, therapists, pharmacists, administrative staff.

  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest

  • A full-service, 236-bed hospital on Herring Ave in Waco.

  • Typical Roles: Clinical staff, technicians, healthcare administrators.

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Doris Miller VA Medical Center)

  • A comprehensive VA medical center providing services to veterans in Central Texas.

Education

  • Midway Independent School District (MISD)
  • The primary school district serving West Waco, Woodway, and Hewitt. One of the largest employers in the immediate western corridor.

  • Typical Roles: Teachers, administrators, counselors, support staff, coaches.

  • Baylor University

  • A private Christian research university and one of the largest employers in the Waco metro (~4,000+ employees). Located approximately 5–8 miles east of West Waco.

  • Typical Roles: Faculty, researchers, IT professionals, administrators, facilities staff.

  • McLennan Community College (MCC)

  • A public two-year college serving Waco and the region.

Aerospace & Defense

  • L3Harris Technologies
  • A major aerospace and defense contractor operating an aircraft modification center at Waco Regional Airport (near the western corridor).

  • Typical Roles: Engineers, aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians, program managers, logistics.

  • Blackhawk Modifications & RAM Aircraft

  • Additional aerospace firms operating in the Waco airport vicinity.

Manufacturing & Food Production

  • Cargill Meat Solutions
  • A major meat processing and distribution facility in the Waco area.

  • Typical Roles: Production workers, quality assurance, logistics, management.

  • Sanderson Farms

  • Poultry processing operations in the Waco metro.

  • Hello Bello

  • A manufacturer of baby and family care products (co-founded by Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard) with a manufacturing facility in Waco.

  • Allergan (an AbbVie company)

  • A pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Waco.

  • Mars Wrigley & Pilgrim's Pride

  • Additional major food production employers in the metro.

Retail, Wholesale & Logistics

  • H-E-B
  • Multiple H-E-B grocery locations serve the western Waco corridor, including a store on Woodway Drive. H-E-B also operates a large regional distribution center in the area.

  • Typical Roles: Retail, logistics, management, customer service.

  • Walmart & Sam's Club

  • Multiple locations in the western Waco area; significant employer of hourly and management staff.

  • Amazon

  • A large fulfillment center in the Waco metro area.

Additional Notable Employers

  • Zinkpower: Metal surface treatment/galvanizing with Waco-area operations.
  • Packless Industries: Industrial manufacturing in the Waco area.
  • City of Woodway / City of Waco: Municipal government employment.

Career Opportunities

West Waco and the broader western corridor offer strong job market fundamentals:

  • Professional/Management: The concentration of executive and professional workers in West Waco reflects demand from healthcare, education, aerospace, and financial services sectors.
  • Skilled Trades & Technical: L3Harris, Cargill, and other manufacturers recruit for aviation mechanics, technicians, and skilled production roles. TSTC provides workforce training pipelines.
  • Education: MISD and area private schools provide numerous teaching and administrative opportunities.
  • Healthcare: The robust healthcare expansion in Waco creates ongoing demand for clinical and administrative professionals.
  • Retail & Hospitality: The commercial corridors along Woodway Drive and US-84 provide entry-level and management retail/hospitality jobs.

Greater Waco's labor force exceeds 400,000 with a 1.5% annual population growth rate and 75,000 college students within a 60-minute radius, making the region a dynamic and growing job market.

Sources: Waco Economic Development - Major Employers, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce - Key Industries, Business in Texas - Waco, Heart of Texas Economic Development District. Information is based on publicly available data and is subject to change. For current job openings, consult individual company websites and online job boards.