Breaking Down What the Numbers Mean for Your Next Hire
If you’re a neighbor of Hoops building a company in Dallas–Fort Worth and competing for skilled talent, you already know the story.
The DFW talent market is tight — the jobs are there, but the people aren’t easy to land. Enterprise giants with deeper pockets and fast-growing tech and aerospace firms are scooping up talent at record pace. For mid-sized, scaling companies, the difference between moving forward and stalling out often comes down to one thing: your people strategy.
Here’s what the latest data is telling us — and what it means for your next hire:
1. The Market is Growing, But Competition is Fierce
The region added nearly 47,000 jobs in the past year, with education, healthcare, and logistics leading the way (BLS Gov). Unemployment continues to stay low at 3.9%, meaning there aren’t many people “sitting on the bench.” In fact, there are now fewer than one unemployed worker for every job opening in Texas.
Why it matters: Don’t wait to start the search until the need is critical. Unemployment remains low, and your best candidates are already employed. You’ll need proactive sourcing, faster decision-making, and a clear employer story that sells why they should leave their current job for yours in the DFW talent market.
2. Pay Expectations Keep Climbing
Average weekly wages in DFW talent market are now 6% higher than the U.S. average, and skilled trades are feeling the pressure. For example, construction labor costs in Texas rose nearly 5% this year (Dallas Fed). Meanwhile, tech salaries are starting at $105K+. (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas).
Why it matters: Pay isn’t everything, but it’s table stakes. Benchmark against local data so you don’t lose great people over $2–$5 an hour. And when you can’t compete on cash alone, lean on stability, growth paths, and benefits. Skilled workers in the DFW talent market are asking: “Is this company going to invest in me long-term?”
3. Tech & Aerospace Are Shaping the Market
Over 20,000 new tech jobs landed in Fort Worth alone, plus 570+ aerospace roles added in Collin County (Chron & Nucamp). Even if you’re not in those sectors, you’re competing with them for skilled workers.
Why it matters: Trades, manufacturing, and service companies are losing electricians, machinists, techs, and more to “hotter” industries. To compete in the DFW talent market, make your unique strengths clear — job security, family-first culture, visible career paths — and communicate it in every posting.
4. The Pipeline is Skewing Younger
Fort Worth schools are graduating students with diplomas plus certifications and internships in sectors like healthcare and trades. Over 300 students came out of these programs just this year (Axios).
Why it matters: Building relationships with schools and trade programs today can give you a future pipeline of talent. Growing small and mid-sized firms that invest here early will win long-term in the DFW talent market.
5. Economic Headwinds Ahead
The Dallas Fed projects slower job growth, with businesses citing tariffs, stricter immigration policy, and cuts in federal spending as risks (Axios).
Why it matters: Stay flexible in a dynamic DFW talent market. Consider alternative hiring models—fractional roles, contract-to-hire, or expanding your search into lower-cost sub-markets or adjacent industry labor pools.
The Real Edge Isn’t the Budget — It’s the Process
Big companies will always have bigger wallets. What levels the playing field is process: knowing the market, setting expectations, and moving fast when the right candidate shows up.
That’s where many DFW companies get stuck:
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Wages keep climbing.
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Roles sit open for months.
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Candidates disappear mid-process.
The truth is, you can’t control every factor — but you can control your process. With the right playbook you can:
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Compete with larger employers without overspending.
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Keep momentum even if candidates drop out.
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Make every search faster and more predictable.
At Hoops, every search we run comes with a Market Insights Report tailored to your role that includes pay benchmarks, talent availability, competitor demands, and more — so you’re not hiring in the dark. Pair that with proven playbooks and local industry expertise, and you’ve got a process built to keep your team winning in a volatile DFW talent market.
If hiring is holding you back, let’s talk. We’ll show you what the market is telling us about your role — and build a process to get the right people on your team, faster.
👉 Let’s talk about how we can help with your next hire.
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