The San Antonio Economic and Workforce Development Committee meeting on March 25, 2025, focused on the city's performance in attracting high-wage jobs and the challenges faced in the STEM job sector.

During the meeting, officials reported that the target for high-wage jobs was set at 80%, but the city only achieved 47%. Similarly, for jobs paying above the median wage, the city reached only 68% of its goal. These figures raised concerns about San Antonio's competitiveness in attracting quality employment opportunities.

A key point discussed was the methodology used to report wage information. Officials explained that the data reflects only jobs directly reported to their organization. If companies do not submit wage information, it negatively impacts the overall average. However, when analyzing jobs based on industry codes, the city met its wage goals at 100%. This discrepancy highlighted a technical issue rather than a failure in performance.

The conversation also touched on the growth of STEM jobs, which are typically higher-paying. San Antonio was noted to lag behind other Texas cities like El Paso, Dallas, Houston, and Austin in this area. In response, officials emphasized the importance of their five-year strategy aimed at attracting quality jobs, particularly in STEM fields. They are actively working to engage with companies earlier in their decision-making processes to improve the city's standing in this competitive job market.

Overall, the meeting underscored the need for San Antonio to enhance its efforts in attracting high-wage and STEM jobs to foster economic growth and improve its workforce development outcomes.