Employment

The Military and Family Readiness Center offers newcomers information on jobs in the local community including employers, schools, educational opportunities, scholarships and much more. You are invited to come by the M&FRC at 382 Avenue D, Building 7215, Dyess Air Force Base, for one-on-one, individualized assistance. You can also visit https://www.dyessfss.com/newcomers for more information or visit Dyess AFB Military & Family Readiness center facebook page for employment opportunities.  

Abilene's job market is relatively stable and job prospects are fair. However, due to the current economy, salaries are generally low or at minimum wage. The Texas unemployment rate is 3.9%. The Abilene unemployment rate (as of Jun 2024) was 4.1%. Abilene is a medium-sized town with a population of 125,070 and a limited number of employment opportunities, especially for high-paying positions. Per capita personal income averages $28,090 per year. The average salary is $39,000. The median household income for a homeowner is $52,518, and the median household income for a renter is $31,135. About one-third of families (especially military families, dual-income families, and professionals such as teachers, doctors and lawyers) enjoy an annual household income of $54,000 or more. The income per capita in Abilene is 9.1% less than the Texas average and 19.3% less than the national average. The median household income in Abilene is 19.5% less than the Texas average and 24% less than the national average. The median household income in Abilene for owner-occupied housing is 77.3% greater than the median household income for renter-occupied housing in Abilene. The poverty level in Abilene is 13.9% less than the Texas average and 24.9% greater than the national average. The median earnings for males in Abilene is 50.1% greater than the median earnings for females in Abilene. The cost of living in Abilene is 12% less than the Texas average and 20% less than the national average. The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. If the amount is below 100, the cost of living is lower than the national average based on 2013 statistics.

M&FRC has information on scholarships, training opportunities and portable jobs for spouses. Please visit the A&FRC for employment information. The Abilene Office of the Texas Workforce Commission offers numerous services for job seekers including training to qualify individuals for positions above the minimum-wage level. Check out the Workforce Investment Act to see if you qualify for educational or job training assistance.
Dyess AFB is the largest employer in the Abilene area due to the number of military members, Department of Defense civilians and NAF employees. Abilene Independent School District is the second largest employer, while Hendrick Medical Center ranks third. Abilene Regional Medical Center is another large employer with multiple job opportunities. The Abilene Regional Airport, the Mall of Abilene, and several stores such as Lowes and Home Depot may be hiring additional personnel, especially part-time employees. Job prospects with these positions are good but starting salaries tend to be low and with limited benefits. The Army and Air Force Base Exchange, the Defense Commissary Agency and NAF may offer positions on Dyess AFB. Federal civil service positions may also be available and may include spouse preference for employment when making a permanent change of station to a new base.

Looking for support in transferring your professional license?  Please use the Military spouse interstate license recognition options website at or https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/military-spouses/license-recognition and the Spouse Re-licensure portability tool located at:  https://www.af.mil/About-Us/State-Licensure-Portability/ 
These sites will help you navigate and understand state requirements for your specific license.  Also, for information on spouse re-licensure reimbursement process, be sure to contact the Military & Family Readiness Center for information/support.
For availability of federal, state, city and county government positions, please check out the USAJOBS, Texas Workforce, Work in Texas, Texas Workforce Commission, Taylor County and Abilene Texas websites.

For job-hunting purposes, be sure to hand carry all employment records and documents, resumes, SF 171, SF 50, transcripts, certificates and licenses.

Looking for support in transferring your professional license?  Please use the Military spouse interstate license recognition options website at or https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/military-spouses/license-recognition and the Spouse Re-licensure portability tool located at:  https://www.af.mil/About-Us/State-Licensure-Portability/  These sites will help you navigate and understand state requirements for your specific license.  Also, for information on spouse re-licensure reimbursement process, be sure to contact the Military & Family Readiness Center for information/support.

On November 21, 2011, the president signed the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act which made service members' participation in the Transition Assistance Program mandatory. All components of TAP are provided through the Military and Family Readiness Center to assist service members and their dependents when they separate or retire from the military. 

The Military and Family Readiness Center is a primary point of contact for information on scholarships and programs for spouses and family members. Spouses and family members may contact the M&FRC to see if any agencies such as the Chief's Group or the Spouses Club are currently offering scholarships.

Scholarships are typically offered in the November through February timeframe for the following fall and winter semesters. The Air Force Aid Society offers the Hap Arnold Scholarship they also offer the "Bee" Arnold Spouse Tuition Program and the General H. Arnold Education Grant as well as AFAs Merit Scholarship. See the AFAS website for details.

 Also, contact local colleges and universities for information on scholarships and Pell Grants. Contact the Dyess Education Center at 325-696-5545 for more information on education benefits.

My Career Advancement Account

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses for the pursuit or maintenance (including continuing education courses) of a license, certification, or associate's degree necessary to gain employment in an occupation or career field.

For information on MyCAA and military spouse education and career opportunities, visit Military OneSource.

If you are considering applying for unemployment benefits, contact your losing state's unemployment benefits representative for the appropriate paperwork. When you resign your position, include a statement to the effect that you are resigning to accompany your military spouse on his/her Permanent Change of Station. For more information contact the Texas Workforce at 1-800-939-6631.

Employment information can be obtained from the Abilene Industrial Foundation at 325-673-7349, as well as the Texas Workforce System at 325-795-4200. The Texas unemployment rate is 4.0%. The Abilene, Texas unemployment rate was 3.1% (2023). If you are considering applying for unemployment benefits, contact your losing state's unemployment benefits representative for the appropriate paperwork. When you resign from your position, include a statement to the effect that you are resigning to accompany your military spouse on his/her permanent change of station. For more information, contact the Texas Workforce at 800-457-5633 or 800-939-6631. The median household income is $52,518. The various reports reviewed indicated the average salary ranges from $29,000 to $62,000 within the Abilene area.