In general, according to economists at the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, job growth in San Antonio is forecasted at 3 to 3.5 percent, or 27,300 jobs in 2011, compared to a forecast of 2.5 to 3 percent for the rest of the state of Texas.  Since 1990, the average annual San Antonio area job growth has been 2.2 percent.

The seventh largest city in the nation and the fastest growing city in Texas enjoys the reputation of being “recession proof,” thanks to a number of factors related to jobs and job growth.  The low cost of living and doing business attracts both companies and workers.  Healthcare and healthcare education are among San Antonio’s largest industries.  In fact, BRAC, Base Realignment and Closure, is bringing the largest economic development event in the city’s history as Ft. Sam Houston is transformed into a premier medical complex and the largest medical training campus in the world.  The San Antonio Military Medical Center is first bringing construction jobs, followed by research and medical jobs.

In addition to healthcare and health sciences, other leading sectors of the San Antonio economy include government, trade/transportation, utilities and education.  Major regional employers are Ft. Sam Houston/U.S. Army, Lackland Air Force Base, USAA (financial services and insurance), HEB Food Stores and the Northside Independent School District.

Three San Antonio companies are listed in the latest “100 Best Companies to Work For” issue of Fortune magazine:  USAA, NuStar Energy and Rackspace Hosting (technology).

San Antonio is the home to corporate headquarters of USAA, HEB, Bill Miller Bar BQ, Valero Energy, Whataburger and Harland Clarke (checks).