Dallas-Fort Worth Employment Market Update | February 2026
Professional and Business Services lost 14,300 jobs year-over-year in Dallas-Fort Worth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dallas-Fort Worth Area Economic Summary published January 20, 2026. If you’ve been struggling to find experienced accounting, finance, or administrative talent, the market just shifted in your favor.
Here’s what the November 2025 employment data means for your hiring in Dallas.
Your Hiring Window Is Open
The Professional and Business Services dipped down 1.8%, year-over-year. This sector includes accounting, finance, IT services, marketing, consulting, and administrative roles.
That means experienced professionals who weren’t available 18 months ago are in the market now. That includes mid-level specialists and executive talent.
This is exactly the talent pool we work with every day. PrideStaff Dallas places accounting and finance professionals, administrative staff, customer service managers, call center teams, and executive-level leaders. This is the talent we work with daily. They’re being thoughtful about their next move, but they’re open to the right opportunity.
If you’ve had a hard-to-fill accounting role sitting open, struggled to find experienced admin support, or need executive leadership for a growing team, this is your window.
Where Things Stand
Dallas-Fort Worth total non-farm employment reached 4,335,900 in November 2025, adding 18,500 jobs year-over-year (+0.4%), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor (BLS) Statistics.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area unemployment rate was 4.0% in November 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics. This is below the Texas state unemployment rate of 4.2% and the national unemployment rate of 4.3% for the same period.
The Dallas-Plano-Irving Division, which represents 72% of metro employment, added 7,400 positions at 0.2% growth, according to the BLS. The Fort Worth-Arlington-Grapevine Division grew faster at 0.9% with 11,100 jobs added. But for Dallas employers, it is about what’s happening in specific sectors.
Where Jobs Are Moving
Year-over-year employment changes by sector in Dallas-Fort Worth, November 2024 to November 2025:
| Sector | Jobs Change | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|
| Education & Health Services | +15,700 | +3.0% |
| Mining, Logging & Construction | +5,800 | +2.3% |
| Government | +8,500 | +1.7% |
| Leisure & Hospitality | +6,400 | +1.5% |
| Trade, Transportation & Utilities | +3,900 | +0.4% |
| Professional & Business Services | -14,300 | -1.8% |
| Manufacturing | -4,900 | -1.6% |
| Financial Activities | -4,800 | -1.2% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dallas-Fort Worth Area Economic Summary, published January 20, 2026 (November 2025 data, preliminary)
Education and Health Services added 15,700 jobs at 3.0% growth. If you’re competing for healthcare-adjacent roles like medical billing or patient services, expect that competition to continue.
Financial Activities also declined, losing 4,800 positions (-1.2%). Combined with the Professional and Business Services decline of 14,300 jobs, there’s a meaningful pool of experienced business professionals available in the Dallas market right now.
Where Dallas Candidates Are
Dallas County unemployment was 4.1% in November 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics. This is the highest unemployment rate among major Dallas-area counties, meaning more available candidates than Collin County (4.0%), Denton County (3.9%), or Tarrant County (3.9%).
Unemployment rates by county, November 2025:
| Area | Nov 2025 | Nov 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas County | 4.1% | 4.1% |
| Collin County | 4.0% | 3.8% |
| Denton County | 3.9% | 3.7% |
| Tarrant County | 3.9% | 3.9% |
| Dallas-Fort Worth MSA | 4.0% | 3.9% |
| Texas | 4.2% | 4.1% |
| United States | 4.3% | 4.0% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, November 2025 (preliminary)
If you can offer remote or hybrid work, you expand your reach across all four counties. That flexibility is a recruiting advantage right now.
One other factor working in your favor: the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Consumer Price Index increased 1.1% for the 12 months ending November 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is significantly below the national inflation rate of 2.6% for the same period. Lower local inflation makes compensation conversations easier when you’re competing with companies in higher-cost markets.
How We Can Help
These market reports give you the context. What they can’t give you is direct access to candidates.
That’s where we come in. PrideStaff Dallas specializes in accounting and finance, administrative and clerical, call center, and customer service placements. We also conduct executive search for companies that need leadership talent. We’ve been in this market for 25 years. We know who’s looking, who’s movable, and what it takes to close the right candidate at every level.
The professional services contraction means there’s talent available today that wasn’t available a year ago. But windows like this don’t stay open forever. When hiring picks back up, the competition returns.
What role is giving you the most trouble right now? Let’s talk about it.
Amy Linn
PrideStaff Dallas Strategic Partner
(972) 661-1616
alinn@pridestaff.com
Subscribe to Amy’s monthly Dallas Market Updates on LinkedIn.