America’s workers are celebrated on Labor Day, a federal holiday since June 28, 1894.
Fort Worthians observe the occasion in a variety of ways but, most importantly, remember to enjoy the day off — you’ve earned it.
After all, data shows Cowtown’s residents are generally well paid, pay low taxes and enjoy the economic benefits of a thriving region expected to add 4 million residents within the next 25 years.
Average weekly wages for North Texas workers — $1,519 — are higher than the national average of $1,507, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In Tarrant County, average weekly wages range from $1,300 to $1,499 — slightly less than what workers in Dallas and Collin counties earn each week.
ZipRecruiter says salaries vary, but pegs the Fort Worth average yearly salary at $69,698, $4,674 more than the average Texas salary.
The higher salaries result from North Texas’ talent pipeline of 3.9 million workers, including more than 58,000 annual graduates from area universities, according to the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
A skilled workforce contributes to corporate relocations, university research and innovative technology from burgeoning companies.
More than 300,000 contribute to Fort Worth’s advanced manufacturing sector, representing nearly a third of the state’s total manufacturing employment, economic development partnership data shows.
“We want to bring business to Fort Worth,” Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, said at a May economic event. “We want to help it, help businesses work through the process. So we’ve got to go find it.”
Fort Worth’s population boom of more than 1 million puts the area in better economic shape than other parts of the state.
Under current economic conditions, employment in Texas remains flat in 2025.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said the state’s employment index edged down from 2.8 in July to 1.2 in August.
“The near-zero reading signals little change in employment over the period,” Dallas Fed officials said about the Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey released earlier this month.
There is more good economic news.
The Dallas Fed said broader business conditions in Texas improved in August. The general business activity index, the institution said, increased five points to 6.8 while the company outlook index rose six points to 4.3 — the first positive reading in six months.
Texas retail sales also declined in August. A key measure of state retail activity fell three points to -2.1, according to business executives that responded to the Texas Retail Outlook Survey.
“Retailers’ inventories fell for the seventh consecutive month, with the index remaining in negative territory at -2.7 in August,” federal bank officials said about the survey.
While international travel has taken a recent hit, domestic travel remains busy.
Cowtown’s robust tourism brings significant travelers — 11.5 million visitors — that resulted in a $3.5 billion economic impact last year, according to Visit Fort Worth.
Those millions of guests generated about $251 million in state and local taxes, a notable number that aids each Fort Worth household. Without the funds, every household in the city would need to pay an additional $750 in property taxes to maintain local service levels, the tourism group’s data showed.
Millions of people travel during the Labor Day holiday weekend, mostly within the U.S. According to AAA, domestic travelers saw cheaper flights, hotel rooms and car rentals this Labor Day. Prices for flights are 6% cheaper this year compared to last year while hotel rooms are 11% lower and car rentals are 3% less costly, booking data shows.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport officials expected to greet 1.4 million passengers over Labor Day weekend. The holiday is one of the busiest travel days.
People were also on the road since gas prices remained low this summer with few fluctuations, matching average prices in 2021, according to AAA.
In Tarrant County, the average gas price is $2.738 per gallon — slightly below the state average of $2.747, AAA data shows. Last year, the national average for a gallon of regular was $3.33 on Labor Day.
Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org.
Disclosure: Mitch Whitten of Visit Fort Worth serves on the Report’s board of directors. News decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
Related
Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.
Republish This Story
Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details.