Labor
Dallas-Fort Worth is host to one of the nations
largest employment markets. At 2.7 million, its labor
force was the sixth largest in the nation last year,
up from seventh in 1992. The region is forecast to add
over 536,000 jobs by 2010. Employment growth can be
attributed to the Metroplexs business community
evolution and north-to-south migration.
Employment gains have occurred in higher-paying diversified
fields, including high-technology, telecommunications
and professional services. During the 1990s economic
boom, Dallas-Fort Worths telecommunications industry
posted impressive job growth of 67 percent. Since the
sectors peak of 125,000 jobs in 2000, approximately
30,000 positions were eliminated, but it is expected
to add over 11,000 workers by 2006. Professional services
posted an equally impressive gain of 78 percent during
the 1990s. The sector is anticipated to increase employment
by 16.5 percent by 2006.
The transportation and trade sector is an important
economic driver in the Metroplex, employing over 596,000.
The industry has shed approximately 48,000 positions
during the past few years, due to the national recession
and terrorism anxiety. The sector is forecast to grow
by 9 percent by 2006, erasing the previous few years
job losses.
Continuation of the north-to-south migration has benefited
the Metroplex. Affordable housing and the variety of
employment options attract workers, while employers
are taking advantage of the areas low business
costs, educated work force and large labor pool.
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