Employment

The Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) offers information on jobs in the local community about 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 in the following areas:

• Identifying skills and interests
• Preparing an effective resume
• Learning to interview well
• Improving job-search skills
• Mapping a personalized plan for career development
• Learning about federal employment

M&FRC has information on scholarships, training opportunities, portable jobs for spouses, and more.

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 are eligible for job training or educational assistance.

Local Job Market Information

Abilene's job market is relatively stable and job prospects are fair. However, salaries are generally low or at minimum wage.

Dyess AFB is the largest employer in the Abilene followed by Abilene Independent School District and Hendrick Medical Center. The Abilene Regional Airport, the Mall of Abilene, Abilene State Supported Living Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene Christian University, First Financial Bank, AbiMar Foods, Rentech Boiler Systems, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and several stores such as Lowes and Home Depot may be hiring additional personnel, especially part-time employees.

For availability of state, city, and county government positions, please check out the Texas Workforce Solutions, Work in Texas, Texas Workforce Commission, Taylor County, and Abilene Texas websites.

Employment on Dyess AFB

The Army and Air Force Base Exchange (AAFES) and the Defense Commissary Agency may offer positions on Dyess AFB; appropriated and non-appropriated federal civil service positions may also be available and may include spouse preference for employment when making a permanent change of station (PCS) to a new base. Employment opportunities on base can be found on USAJOBS.gov (federal employment) & Indeed.com (contractor & federal jobs) - filter location to Dyess AFB.

Licensure/Re-Certification/Small Business relocation reimbursement for Military Spouses

Military spouses who relocate due to a PCS and need to re-license or re-certify in their new location can be reimbursed for related expenses, up to $1,000 per move. This includes fees for exams and registration. This amount can also be reimbursed to military spouses when experiencing expenses in conjunction to moving a small business while PCS-ing.

Looking for support in transferring your professional license? Please use the Military spouse interstate license recognition options website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/military-spouses/license-recognition and the Spouse Re-licensure portability tool located at https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/licensure-reimbursement-pcs-moves. These sites will help you navigate and understand state requirements for your specific license. Filing to get reimbursed for these expenses must be done with the Finance office; however, you may obtain information and support on the topic at the Military & Family Readiness Center as well.

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

The Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act made service members' participation in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) 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. It is recommended to start the process 18 months prior to separation and 24 months prior to retirement; however, it is mandatory to start no later than one year prior to separation/retirement.

Call 325-696-5999 to make your TAP appointments.

The Military and Family Readiness Center is a primary point of contact for information on scholarships and programs for spouses. Spouses and family members may contact the M&FRC to see if any local 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 "Bee" Arnold Spouse Tuition Program and the General H. Arnold Education Grant as well as AFAs Merit Scholarships. See the AFAS website for details.

You may also obtain information about scholarships and Pell Grant from the local colleges and universities. Contact the Dyess Education Center at 325-696-5545 for more information on education benefits or the School Liaison Office at 325-696-4591 for more information on scholarships for dependents.

My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA)

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 or at find more information at the Texas Workforce Commission website.

More employment information can be obtained from the Abilene Industrial Foundation at 325-673-7349, as well as the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas at 325-795-4200.

The Texas unemployment rate is 4.0% while the Abilene, TX unemployment rate is 3% (2025). The average salary is 39,000 and the median household income is $62,720.

The Dyess M&FRC also offers employment workshops, job fairs, and employer panels. Call 325-696-5999 or e-mail 7fss.a.frc@us.af.mil for more information or to register.