The BLS finally released September 2025 and November 2025 data after the shutdown ended. October we will not ever have numbers for, but we can now see what happened during those months we were guessing about.
Job growth kept slowing, unemployment eased slightly from August’s spike but remained elevated, and professional services losses deepened.
What the Numbers Show
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dallas-Fort Worth Area Economic Summary (updated December 22, 2025), Dallas-Fort Worth added 34,100 jobs year-over-year through September 2025, a 0.8% growth rate. That is down from the 1.0% we saw in June and July, and well below the 1.3% we started with in March.
The deceleration trajectory we tracked all year continued:
| Month | Jobs Added (YoY) | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | 56,100 | 1.3% |
| May 2025 | 46,800 | 1.1% |
| June 2025 | 43,600 | 1.0% |
| July 2025 | 43,300 | 1.0% |
| September 2025 | 34,100 | 0.8% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dallas-Fort Worth Area Economic Summary
We lost 22,000 jobs worth of annual growth momentum between March and September.
The Unemployment Picture
The August spike moderated. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics, September unemployment for the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area came in at 4.2%, down from 4.4% in August and now back below the national rate of 4.3%. But we are still up 0.3 percentage points from September 2024, so the market has softened compared to a year ago.
The county breakdown as of September 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics):
- Denton County: 4.0%
- Dallas County: 4.1%
- Tarrant County: 4.2%
- Collin County: 4.2%
Compare that to a year earlier (September 2024):
- Denton County: 3.7%
- Dallas County: 3.8%
- Tarrant County: 3.9%
- Collin County: 3.9%
Unemployment is higher across the board than a year ago.
The Sector Story Sharpens
The tale of two markets I described all year became even more pronounced in September.
Where the jobs went:
Education and Health Services remains the dominant force, adding 16,500 positions at a 3.2% growth rate. Healthcare systems and educational institutions continue absorbing talent at nearly double the pace of any other sector.
Government contributed 11,600 new jobs (2.4% growth). Leisure and Hospitality added 9,200 positions (2.2% growth). Mining, Logging, and Construction grew by 5,400 jobs (2.1% growth).
Where they disappeared:
Professional and Business Services deepened its contraction to 9,700 jobs lost, a 1.3% decline. This is the sector that includes consulting, marketing, IT services, accounting, and administrative roles.
Manufacturing lost 3,300 positions (1.1% decline), continuing the trend we observed throughout 2025.
For Dallas-Fort Worth employers in our specialties of accounting and finance, administrative and clerical, call center, and customer service, the message is clear: experienced professionals are available in ways they were not two years ago.
The Inflation Advantage Grows
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (November 2025), Dallas-Fort Worth inflation sits at just 1.1% across all items, compared to 2.7% nationally. Food inflation ran at 1.6% locally versus 2.6% nationally. Energy costs increased 2.0% here versus 4.2% nationally.
This gap matters more than most employers realize. When you are competing for talent against companies in higher-cost metros, your compensation dollars stretch further here. That is a recruiting advantage you should be using.
The Data Gap
October 2025 data was never collected. That month is permanently gone from the employment record. But September and November data bracket the missing month closely enough to make informed decisions. That October gap will always be there, but for workforce planning purposes it matters less than you think.
What This Means for Your 2026 Hiring
- The professional services talent window is real and expanding. With 9,700 jobs lost in this sector (BLS, September 2025) and unemployment up 0.3 percentage points from last year, experienced accountants, finance professionals, administrative staff, and business analysts are genuinely available. If you have been waiting for the right time to upgrade your team, the data says that time is now.
- Healthcare competition remains fierce. The 16,500-job surge in Education and Health Services (BLS, September 2025) is not slowing down. If you are hiring for healthcare-adjacent roles like medical billing, patient services, or health administration, budget accordingly and move quickly on qualified candidates.
- Geographic strategy still matters. The spread from Denton County’s 4.0% unemployment to Dallas and Collin County’s 4.2% (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, September 2025) creates different recruiting environments across the metro. Remote and hybrid flexibility lets you tap the entire talent pool.
The Bottom Line
Dallas-Fort Worth’s job growth decelerated throughout 2025, dropping from 1.3% in March to 0.8% in September. Unemployment sits at 4.2%, down from August’s spike but up 0.3 percentage points from last year. Healthcare added 16,500 positions while professional services lost 9,700.
With over 25 years in this market, we have seen these cycles before. The companies that move during transitions build the strongest teams.
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Amy Linn, PrideStaff Dallas Strategic Partner
alinn@pridestaff.com
(972) 661-1616