Hourly Jobs in Dallas, TX
Dallas anchors one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, and its hourly economy runs on movement and scale: distribution corridors ring the metroplex, corporate and back-office operations run large hourly workforces, and healthcare and hospitality hire steadily. Texas sits at the 7.25 federal floor, but a tight, fast-growing market pushes real pay well above it, and there is no state income tax.
Dallas at a glance
- Metro population: about 8.1 million (Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex)
- Minimum wage: 7.25 per hour (Texas follows the federal floor, and cities cannot set a higher rate for private employers)
- What the market actually pays: most hourly jobs start around 14 to 17 per hour
- Tipped minimum: 2.13 per hour cash, with tips expected to bring the total to at least 7.25
- Typical hourly range: about 14 to 22 per hour depending on role and experience
- Cost of living: near the national average, with one-bedroom rent around 1,450 per month
Top hourly industries hiring in Dallas
- Warehouse and distribution: distribution corridors ring the metroplex and hire year-round.
- Corporate and back-office operations: large employers run big hourly support workforces.
- Healthcare: hospital systems hire CNAs, techs, and support staff.
- Hospitality and conventions: hotels and a busy event calendar keep service roles open.
- Retail and construction: steady demand tied to the region's growth.
Typical hourly pay in Dallas
- Retail associate: 13 to 17 per hour
- Fast food or line cook: 12 to 17 per hour
- Warehouse associate: 16 to 22 per hour
- Forklift operator: 17 to 23 per hour
- CNA or caregiver: 14 to 20 per hour
- Delivery driver: 16 to 23 per hour
- Server: 2.13 base plus tips, often 14 to 24 per hour effective
(Ranges are local estimates. Confirm against current BLS metro figures before publishing.)
Getting hired in Dallas
- Treat the 7.25 floor as a compliance number, not the going rate, since a fast-growing market pushes most hourly pay well above it.
- Distribution corridors ring the metroplex, especially in south Dallas and toward the Alliance hub to the west; because this is the DFW metroplex, it is worth searching nearby cities too.
- Tipped workers can be paid a low 2.13 cash base, so ask how tips are handled before accepting a tipped role.
- Warehouse hiring peaks before the holidays, and there is no state income tax.