Dallas-Fort Worth Employment Market Update | March 2026
The latest BLS data shows that consumer prices in Dallas-Fort Worth fell 0.3% for the 12 months ending January 2026. That is not a typo. While the rest of the country is still dealing with 2.4% inflation, Dallas-Fort Worth prices ticked down.
That changes the conversation when you are sitting across the table from a candidate talking about salary. And it is one of a few things I am watching closely as we head deeper into 2026.
Growth is Slowing and Has Been All Year
I have been tracking this trend all year and the direction has not changed. Dallas-Fort Worth added jobs every month in 2025, but the pace kept slowing. Here is what that looks like:
| Month Published | Data Period | YoY Jobs Added | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Jan 2025 YoY | 56,100 | 1.3% |
| May 2025 | Mar 2025 YoY | 46,800 | 1.1% |
| August 2025 | Jun 2025 YoY | 43,600 | 1.0% |
| September 2025 | Jul 2025 YoY | 43,300 | 1.0% |
| February 2026 | Nov 2025 YoY | 18,500 | 0.4% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dallas-Fort Worth Area Economic Summary, various release dates
From 56,100 jobs added at the start of 2025 down to 18,500 by November. That is a significant drop in under a year. The market is still growing, but it is a different environment than what we were seeing 12 to 18 months ago.
The national slowdown is even more pronounced. The U.S. added just 116,000 jobs year-over-year through December 2025, a 0.1% growth rate, according to the BLS. Texas held up better, adding 132,500 jobs at 0.9% growth over the same period. Dallas-Fort Worth at 0.4% through November is running below the state average but well above the national pace.
Dallas Prices Are Actually Down. Here Is Why That Matters.
Here is what caught my attention this month.
Dallas-Fort Worth prices fell 0.3% over the 12 months ending January 2026, according to the BLS Consumer Price Index. Nationally, prices were up 2.4% over the same period.
| Area | Avg 2024 to Avg 2025 | 12 Mo. Ended Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | +1.3% | -0.3% |
| U.S. City Average | +2.6% | +2.4% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, Southwest Region Table, March 2026
For all of 2025, Dallas-Fort Worth prices averaged about 1.3% above the prior year. That was already well below the national 2.6%. But by January 2026, prices here were lower than a year ago. That is a meaningful shift.
For Dallas employers, this works in your favor in two ways. Candidates who moved to higher-cost cities in recent years are noticing that Dallas is genuinely more affordable right now. And you are not facing the same salary inflation pressure that employers in Austin, Denver, or coastal markets are dealing with. That is a real advantage when you are trying to close a candidate.
Where the Jobs Have Been Moving
The full monthly breakdown for December has not been published yet. The most recent sector data I have is from November 2025. Here is where the hiring activity was and was not:
| 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% |
Healthcare and Education led the way, adding 15,700 jobs at 3.0% growth. Construction and Government also grew. The contractions were in Professional and Business Services (down 14,300) and Financial Activities (down 4,800). Together that is more than 19,000 positions lost in sectors that include most of the roles we place every day.
That means there are experienced accounting, finance, admin, and business professionals in the Dallas market right now who were not available 18 months ago. If you have had a role sitting open or waiting for the right time to make a hire, that talent pool is still there.
Unemployment Is Up Slightly, but Dallas Is Still Below the National Rate
Dallas-Fort Worth unemployment came in at 3.6% in December 2025, according to the BLS. That is an improvement from 4.0% in November, and only a slight uptick from 3.5% in December 2024. The trend that looked concerning mid-year pulled back by year-end.
Here is how the two metro divisions broke out:
| Division | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Plano-Irving | 3.5% | 4.0% | 3.7% (p) |
| Fort Worth-Arlington-Grapevine | 3.4% | 3.9% | 3.5% (p) |
| Dallas-Fort Worth Metro | 3.5% | 4.0% | 3.6% (p) |
| Texas (SA) | 4.2% | 4.2% | n/a |
| United States (SA) | 4.2% | 4.6% | n/a |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Southwest Region Table, preliminary. MSA data not seasonally adjusted (SA). Texas and U.S. figures seasonally adjusted; December 2025 state/national unemployment not yet published at time of writing. (p) = preliminary.
Fort Worth is still running tighter than Dallas, 3.5% versus 3.7% in December. That gap has been consistent. If you are open to candidates from the Fort Worth-Arlington corridor, there is slightly less competition over there for the same profiles.
The national unemployment rate was 4.6% through November, well above what we are seeing here. Dallas-Fort Worth has historically stayed tighter than the national average and that is still holding at year-end.
What Does This Mean for Dallas Businesses Hiring Right Now?
- Local costs are working in your favor. Dallas prices fell year-over-year through January while the rest of the country is still paying more for everything. That matters when a candidate is weighing your offer against something in Austin or Denver. You do not have to compete dollar-for-dollar with higher-cost markets, and the data backs you up.
- The professional talent pool is still open. Professional and Business Services is down 14,300 positions year-over-year. That includes accounting, finance, admin, IT, and consulting. These candidates are being thoughtful about their next move, but they are in the market. If you have a hard-to-fill role in any of those areas, this is still a good window.
- Do not let your process slow you down. Unemployment is rising, but the best people are still getting multiple offers. In 25 years, I have seen good candidates walk away from slow-moving hiring processes more times than I can count. If you are serious about a candidate, move fast.
What You Can Do with This Right Now
Dallas-Fort Worth is still growing, but the pace is slower, the competition for white-collar talent is lower than it has been in years, and local prices are working in employers’ favor. That is a combination I have not seen in a while.
The December sector employment breakdown will come out with the next full BLS monthly summary. I will update this when it does. Until then, if you have roles open or are thinking about where the market is headed, let’s talk.
Are these shifts affecting how you are thinking about hiring or compensation this year?
With over 25 years in the Dallas market, we have seen nearly all types of employment markets. We are ready to help you with your staffing solutions.
Amy Linn
PrideStaff Dallas Strategic Partner
(972) 661-1616
alinn@pridestaff.com
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