September 2018 — Labor Market Intelligence Center
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The trade, transportation and warehousing industries make up the 2nd largest sector in the DFW area, employing 409,524 residents.
About the Industry
Dallas-Fort Worth’s central U.S. location provides an advantageous distribution hub, with quick access to rail, air, and over-the-ground truck transportation. The region is a global inland port with two airports capable of large-scale cargo operations—Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Fort Worth Alliance.
The Transportation and Warehousing sector includes industries providing various transportation services including that of passengers and cargo, and the warehousing and storage of goods.
“There were approximately 35,600 job postings in DFW in the past 12 months, with over 8,000 listed in Dallas and nearly 4,500 in Fort Worth.”
Notable DFW Employers
- Amazon
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Schneider National Incorporated
- McLane Company Incorporated
- McKesson Corporation
- AmerisourceBergen
- May Trucking Company
- Averitt Express
- Crossmark
Source: Burning Glass
Skills in Demand
While many occupations require technical training, employers have placed soft skills at the top of their priority list.
- Customer Service
- Scheduling
- Project Management
- Communication Skills
- Problem Solving
- Organizational Skills
- Teamwork
- Collaboration
Source: Burning Glass
Dallas College Program and Certificate Options
- Logistics Technology
- Automotive Technology - Diesel and Heavy Equipment
- International Business and Trade
- Inventory Control Technician Certificate
- Import-Export Certificate
- Preventative Maintenance
- Technician Certificate
Top Occupation Titles by Hourly Wage
Occupation Title Wages Entry and Median
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
$12.76
$14.83
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
$16.66
$20.95
Cargo and Freight Agents
$16.71
$21.21
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
$17.22
$22.13
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
$18.25
$23.31
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
$18.36
$22.94
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
$21.39
$29.61
Aircraft Structre, Surfaces, & Systems Assemblers
$25.80
$30.72
Source: Burning Glass and EMSI 2018 Q3
“There were approximately 35,600 job postings in DFW in the past 12 months, with over 8,000 listed in Dallas and nearly 4,500 in Fort Worth.”
Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs)
Texas ranks No. 1 for total FTZ exports, manufacturing/production-related activity, and warehouse/distribution-related exports, and the DFW area currently has four. Dallas’s Top Export Sector is Computer & Electronic Products, which accounted for 27% of the area’s goods exports in 2016.
Company-specific FTZs sponsored by DFW Airport include: GM, Sanden, Fossil Partners, Zale, Turbomeca U.S.A., Dal-Tile, The Apparel Group, Matrix Network, Brighton Best International, Lasko, and BMW.
Source: U.S. Foreign Trade Zones, 2015, Dallas Economic Development Guide, 2017, and International Trade Administration, 2017
Alliance Global Logistics Hub
Alliance Global Logistics Hub is the nation’s premier inland port, offering multi-modal transportation options, economic advantages, and supply chain services. Alliance Foreign-Trade Zone #196 consistently ranks as one of the top General Purpose Foreign-Trade Zones in the United States, in terms of the value of foreign goods admitted.
Source: Dallas Economic Development Guide, 2017
Did You Know?
American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, carried more passengers on international flights to and from the U.S. in 2017 than any other U.S. or foreign carrier. While Dallas-based Southwest Airlines carried more total system passengers in 2017 than any other U.S. airline.
DFW has 5.5 million domestic passengers and 885,000 international passengers for a total of 6.4 million passengers.
Source: DFW Traffic Statistics
Hiring Potential
Half of the employers surveyed are looking to hire more than eight employees in the next six months.
Source: Dallas College LMIC Survey of Dallas County Logistics Employers
Main obstacles in hiring long-term employees are 13% shift availability 34% hard skills and 52% other that includes, but is not limited to, work conditions and soft skills
Source: Dallas College LMIC Survey of Dallas County Logistics Employers
For More Information
Contact Ben Magill, executive director, Labor Market Intelligence Center.