Metroplex Economic Pulse for Technologists

December 2025 monthly economic snapshot covering hiring, wages, inflation, and housing for technology professionals in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.

• Thomas Scott Meade II, CFP®
DFW economy technology careers tech professionals local economics

For technology professionals in the Metroplex, the end of 2025 presents a mixed picture. The Metroplex remains the second largest tech metro in the U.S. by employment, but hiring activity has cooled noticeably over the past month. At the same time, those currently employed in tech continue to earn a substantial wage premium relative to the broader metro.

Below is your monthly economic briefing jargon free and tailored for technology professionals across the Metroplex.

TL;DR

  • Labor Market: The Metroplex is the second largest tech hub in the U.S. by employment, but active tech job postings fell by 1,719 in November, signaling a hiring slowdown.
  • Wages: The estimated median tech wage in Dallas is $119,586, roughly 137% higher than the overall metro median.
  • Inflation: Prices are cooling. The DFW Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell from 304.22 in September to 302.49 in November, offering modest purchasing power relief.
  • Housing: Inventory remains elevated at 28,512 active listings while the median listing price has softened to $420,000.
  • Forward Signal: Companies are shifting budgets toward AI upskilling with 94% of firms planning to invest in AI specific training in 2026 marking a pivot from hiring to training.

What Changed Since Last Month (Metroplex Snapshot)

The local economy continues to grow, but hiring momentum has slowed. In November, active tech job postings in the Dallas metro declined to 7,825, down 1,719 from October.

Despite softer hiring, the Metroplex’s fundamentals remain strong. The region now supports nearly 379,000 tech workers, surpassing Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Seattle, and trailing only New York City nationwide. The broader Metroplex unemployment rate stands at 4.2% as of September, the latest verified government data due to reporting delays.

Sources:
CompTIA – Tech Jobs Report (Dec 2025)
CompTIA – State of the Tech Workforce 2025
BLS – Economy at a Glance: DFW

Labor Market: Hiring & Leverage for Technologists

Hiring & Layoff Risk: The market has tightened. Nationally, software developer postings fell by more than 6,500 in November. Locally, manufacturing has emerged as a relative bright spot, posting nearly 700 tech roles last month. Dallas also ranks 4th nationally for remote tech job postings, preserving location flexibility even as onsite hiring softens.

Compensation & Negotiation: Wage leverage remains strong. The estimated median tech wage in Dallas is $119,586, approximately 137% higher than the median wage across all occupations in the metro.

While local wages trail coastal hubs such as San Jose ($197k) and San Francisco ($169k), the Metroplex’s lower cost of living makes real purchasing power highly competitive. When negotiating, anchor expectations to the local tech median not the general regional average.

Sources:
CompTIA – Tech Jobs Report (Dec 2025)
CompTIA – State of the Tech Workforce 2025
CompTIA – IT Industry Outlook 2026

Cost of Living: What Locals Feel

November data shows a rare deflationary signal for the metro area.

Headline CPI: The DFW CPI declined from 304.22 in September to 302.49 in November, indicating a short term decrease in aggregate prices.
Long Term Trend: Despite the recent dip, the 12 month trend through September reflects a modest 1.9% increase, well below the wage growth experienced earlier in the year by many technologists.

Sources:
FRED (St. Louis Fed) – CPI for All Urban Consumers: DFW
BLS – Economy at a Glance: DFW

Housing: Affordability Signals

The Metroplex housing market continues to cool, creating opportunities for buyers who remain patient.

Prices: Median listing prices declined to $420,000 in November, down from $425,000 in October and $430,000 in August.
Time on Market: Median days on market held at 64 days, up from 53 days in July.
Inventory: Active listings remain elevated at 28,512, though slightly below the July peak of 31,819.

The Hidden Cost: While prices have softened, ownership costs are rising. Homeowners insurance premiums and property taxes have increased materially. Buyers should model affordability using current tax and insurance quotes, not prior year estimates.

Sources:
FRED (Realtor.com) – DFW Housing Inventory & Prices
Dallas Fed – Southwest Economy Podcast (Housing)

Signals to Watch Next Month

AI Hiring Pivot: Specialized AI roles are growing modestly, but the dominant trend is integration. 60% of firms are focused on embedding AI into existing workflows rather than building custom models.
Grid Reliability: Energy prices have stabilized, but reliability remains a concern. AI data centers could eventually account for up to 10% of total grid load, increasing risk during peak demand or winter freeze events.
Data Delays: Several Texas employment reports remain delayed due to federal data disruptions. The next reliable forecast update is expected January 7, 2026.

Base Case: Tech hiring remains flat through Q1 2026 as firms focus on training and internal efficiency.
Risk Case: If national weakness in the information technology sector accelerates, the Metroplex may see a modest rise in tech unemployment likely still below the national average.

Sources:
CompTIA – IT Industry Outlook 2026
Dallas Fed – Southwest Economy Podcast (Energy)
Dallas Fed – Texas Employment Forecast

What This Means for Your Financial Health

Defense First: With tech postings down nearly 18% month over month, a layoff could extend job search timelines. Maintain six months of expenses in liquid reserves.
The “Skill” Raise: With inflation muted, your strongest raise case is productivity. Quantify efficiency gains from AI tools as 45% of businesses cite AI driven productivity as a key optimism driver.
Home Purchase Opportunity: Lower list prices ($420k) combined with a softer CPI suggest your dollar goes slightly further today than it did mid year.
Training Budget: Ask for it. With 94% of firms investing in AI training, employer funded certifications (cloud, security, data) are a high probability win.
Grid Resilience: Given long term grid strain risks, consider modest investments in backup power (UPS or solar generator) to protect remote work uptime.

Sources:
CompTIA – Tech Jobs Report
CompTIA – IT Industry Outlook 2026
FRED – CPI & Housing Data
Dallas Fed – Southwest Economy Podcast (Energy)

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and provides a general economic overview based on available data. It does not constitute investment or financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making decisions about your personal finances.

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