The Greater Houston Partnership, an organization dedicated to boosting business in the city, says in its most recent economic forecast that, "Houston's economy seems to be in fundamentally sound shape entering '08, even though it's being buffeted to some extent by winds in the national economy. While most industries can expect slower growth in '08 than in '07, very few are likely to see declining employment. And comparatively rapid job growth in such highly compensated sectors as oil and gas, engineering and computer software could mean disproportionately strong gains in local total personal income."

It makes sense that software development is at the top of Davis's list. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development employs 24,000 in Houston out of a total IT workforce of about 43,000 people.

"Houston is a large city with thousands of companies that need qualified IT workers," Davis adds. "Even with the outsourcing trend during the last few years, there is still much work being done right here in Houston, thus supporting a vibrant IT market in the city."

But is the IT sector vibrant enough to encourage hiring this winter? The quarterly Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, which covers all industries, looks optimistic. It found that from January to March 2008, 38 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees. Manpower Spokesperson Claudette Hilliard describes this as a brisk pace.

At the same time, recruiter Robert Half Technology's IT Hiring Index indicates only 13 percent of Houston-area CIOs plan to hire new staff in the first quarter. On Dice, the number of Houston-area IT job listings was down 5 percent in the fourth quarter, not a bad showing compared to other cities that suffered far worse seasonal drop-offs. Currently 1,548 Houston jobs are listed on Dice.

In terms of salaries, Houston is holding steady. The new Dice salary survey shows the average Houston IT salary is now $72,733, up 1.7 percent on the year but trailing the national average by $1,800.

Back at the Greater Houston Partnership (which is a good place to visit to get lists of technology-related companies), optimism reigns. "(2008) looks like a fourth consecutive year of solid job gains for Houston," says Partnership President and Chief Executive Jeff Moseley. "With our dominant position in oil and gas and our pivotal role in international business, we're well-positioned once again to outperform the national economy." Perhaps new jobs will follow.

One caveat: Don't be fooled into believing record high oil prices will create some kind of Texas job gold rush. While some energy companies may benefit in the short run, other big Texas employers, especially those in transportation or retailers that rely on transportation, will suffer right along with businesses in the other 49 states. Analysts all agree: High oil prices never help the economy.