New Mexico 2015
State of the Workforce Report
A Report Highlighting New Mexico’s Current and Future Workforce
POPULATION
Colfax
WORKFORCE
McKinley
INDUSTRIES,
OCCUPATIONS
& WAGES
Sierra
SKILLS &
EDUCATION
Doña Ana
FUTURE WORKFORCE
March 2015
www.dws.state.nm.us
State of New Mexico
Workforce Report 2015
Susana Martinez
Governor
State of New Mexico
Celina Bussey
Cabinet Secretary
New Mexico Department of
Workforce Solutions
Prepared by New Mexico
Department of
Workforce Solutions
Economic Research and
Analysis Bureau
For further information contact:
New Mexico Department of
Workforce Solutions
Economic Research and
Analysis Bureau
P.O. Box 1928
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Phone: (505) 383-2729
Email:
NMDWS.Economicresearch
@state.nm.us
Request to be Added to the Labor Market
Publication Email Distribution List
www.dws.state.nm.us/LaborMarketInformation/Resources/LMIDistributionList
The New Mexico Department of
Workforce Solutions Economic Research
& Analysis Bureau (ER&A) collects,
develops, analyzes, and publishes labor
market information for New Mexico. The
Bureau produces statistical and analytical
information about trends in industry
employment, skill needs, unemployment,
occupations in demand, and a range
of labor market information used by
employers, educators, workers, students,
economic developers and policy makers
at all levels. Information produced by
ER&A is vital as we continue to identify
and promote the workforce skills required
to drive innovation and keep New Mexico
businesses competitive.
To view additional Labor Market Information
Publications visit www.dws.state.nm.us/LMI
General Note:
All information presented in this report was compiled by the
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions’s (NMDWS)
Economic Research and Analysis Bureau (ER&A). This report
looks at data for multiple geographies at the state, region,
Metropolitan Statistics Area (MSA), and countylevel. New Mexico
has four MSAs—Albuquerque (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance,
and Valencia counties), Farmington (San Juan County), Las
Cruces (Doña Ana County), and Santa Fe (Santa Fe County). New
Mexico’s four regions include the Central, Eastern, Northern,
and Southwestern regions. For geographic information on
counties within each region, refer to the corresponding map.
Non-historical data in this report represents the most recent
data that is available and varies by data source.
2 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
Table of Contents
SUMMARY AND FINDINGS
4
New Mexico’s Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
New Mexico’s Workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
NEW MEXICO’S POPULATION - A SNAPSHOT OF POPULATION ACROSS THE STATE 8
State, Regional & County Population Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Age of the Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Race & Ethnicity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Poverty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
NEW MEXICO’S WORKFORCE - WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW
17
Labor Force Participation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
Labor Force Participation by Age Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Age & Gender of the Labor Force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Race & Ethnicity of the Labor Force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Labor Force Participation by Educational Attainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
NEW MEXICO’S WORKFORCE - HOW IT’S GROWING
23
Labor Force Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Employment Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Unemployment Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
NEW MEXICO’S WORKFORCE - INDUSTRIES, OCCUPATIONS & WAGES
31
Employment in New Mexico’s Industires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Occupational Employment of the Workforce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
NEW MEXICO’S WORKFORCE - SKILLS & EDUCATION
36
Educational Attainment of the Population & Labor Force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
NEW MEXICO’S WORKFORCE - THE FUTURE WORKFORCE
40
Projected Employment Growth in New Mexico’s Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Projected Employment Growth in New Mexico’s Substate Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Projected Occupational Employment Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 3
Summary and Findings
New Mexico’s Population
•
•
New Mexico had the fourth lowest population growth
in the U.S. from 2012 to 2013. New Mexico is more
rural than all of its surrounding states; around twothirds of its population resides in one of its four
metropolitan statistics areas (MSAs), with more than
two out of five residing in the Albuquerque MSA alone.
A large proportion of New Mexico’s population is
either young or aging. Over one-third of the population
is under the age of 25, which is a greater share than
the national average and the averages of several
neighboring states. The measure of young workers is
an indicator of the potential future workforce. A key
focus will be to retain these younger workers in the
state by ensuring job opportunities.
•
New Mexico’s population is racially and ethnically
diverse. The large concentrations of Hispanic and
American Indian populations are unique within the
region and the nation.
•
New Mexico struggles with low income and high
poverty levels, points of major concern. New Mexico’s
average household income is the seventh lowest in
the country and the lowest among its neighboring
states. Nearly one out of five New Mexicans lived
below the poverty level in 2013. Nearly two-thirds
of persons living below the poverty level had a high
school education or less. Increasing and improving
employment opportunities will ultimately lead to
4 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
higher incomes, reduced poverty rates, and better
standards of living for New Mexico’s residents and
workers.
New Mexico’s Workforce
•
While participation in the labor force has declined
across the southwestern states and the nation as
a whole in recent years, New Mexico’s labor force
participation rate declined more than those of the U.S.
and New Mexico’s other neighboring states. In 2013,
59.3 percent of New Mexico’s population (16 years
and older) participated in the labor force, down 3.7
percentage points from 2008.
•
Between 2008 and 2013, labor force participation
for workers between 45 and 54 years declined by
4.5 percentage points, the largest decrease of all age
groups. Labor force participation for workers between
16 and 19 years declined by 3.8 percentage points.
Between 2008 and 2013, labor force participation
increased for workers 65 and older. The largest
increases occurred for workers between 65 and 74. In
this age group, the labor force participation rate grew
by 1.3 percentage points.
•
The median age of New Mexico’s workforce was 39.8
years in 2013, as compared to the median age for the
U.S. of 40.3 years. The median age of New Mexico’s
workforce was higher than that of all neighboring
states. Persons within almost all age categories 45
years and above within New Mexico made up higher
shares of the labor force relative to equivalent age
groups in neighboring states. Men comprised a larger
percentage of New Mexico’s labor force than women
at every age category in 2013. Women between the
ages of 45 and 74 years comprised a larger share of
the labor force than women across all age categories.
•
American Indians face greater challenges and barriers
within the labor market. Labor force participation for
this group was 6.5 percentage points lower than the
average in 2013. American Indians also experience
some of the highest unemployment rates, as do Black/
African Americans, in spite of the fact that this racial
group has one of the highest labor force participation
rates.
Summary and Findings
•
As with the nation as a whole, each step up in
educational attainment within New Mexico correlates
with a higher labor force participation rate.
between 2008 and 2013. Accommodation and food
services was the only other industry within the top
five largest that saw employment growth over the
five-year period. Retail trade, educational services,
and public administration, the remaining top five
largest industries, experienced a drop in employment
between 2.5 and 4.7 percent. Mining, with only 3.3
percent of New Mexico’s workforce, experienced the
fastest growth. Utilities was the only other industry to
experience positive growth.
How it’s Growing
•
•
•
•
New Mexico’s labor market was operating at a very
high level during the mid-to-late 2000s, with key
indicators reaching historic levels: the statewide
unemployment rate dipped to a series-low annual
average of 3.5 percent for 2007, while household
survey-based employment grew to an all-time high
of 904,735 a year later. Conditions changed rapidly,
however, as effects of the Great Recession took hold.
New Mexico’s employment and labor force growth in
the years preceding the downturn exceeded national
rates and ranked near the middle among neighboring
states. New Mexico entered the recession late and
has since lagged the nation in speed and extent of
recovery.
Among New Mexico’s regions, the recession’s labor
market impacts were more severe, and subsequent
recoveries less robust, in the Central and Northern
regions than in the Eastern and Southwestern regions.
The Eastern Region’s recovery has been particularly
strong, with employment growing at a nearly 5
percent clip between 2010 and 2013, far exceeding
the statewide average of 0.8 percent.
County-level estimates show that Eastern Region
employment was boosted sharply by oil and gas
activities in the Permian Basin, with Lea and Eddy
counties posting respective 2013 over-the-year
employment gains of 4.4 percent and 4.2 percent,
well above the statewide average of 0.3 percent. The
other New Mexico counties with growth of at least 1.5
percent were Guadalupe, Taos, Colfax, Luna, Otero,
and Roosevelt. Counties with employment declines
of at least 1.5 percent were Los Alamos, Socorro,
McKinley, Mora, Lincoln, Hidalgo, and Cibola.
Industries, Occupations, and Wages
•
The health care industry employs the largest
percentage of New Mexico’s workforce (16.1 percent)
and saw the largest numeric growth in employment
•
Construction and manufacturing, which comprise 5.8
and 3.7 percent of total employment, respectively,
saw a combined loss of 21,133 jobs between 2008
and 2013. Losses occurred the fastest in construction
(24.9 percent), with the information industry joining
manufacturing with job losses around 17 to 18 percent.
•
Over one-third of New Mexico’s workers are employed
in an office/administrative support, retail sales, or food
preparation and serving occupation. These occupations
are often the most common across the U.S., but the
average wages in these occupations typically fall
below the total all-occupation average wage. Science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
occupations, along with management occupations,
are often the highest paying in New Mexico and other
states.
Skills and Education
•
New Mexico has lower educational attainment rates
of both the population and the labor force than its
neighbors and many states in the nation. Close to 30
percent of the labor force had earned a bachelor’s
degree or higher as of 2013. This ranks New Mexico
fifth out of the six southwestern states, leading only
Oklahoma in this measurement, and leaves it trailing
the national rate by 4.7 percentage points.
•
The largest number of future jobs are projected to
require a high school diploma/GED or less to enter
into the occupation. While this represents a large
number of future jobs, jobs that require a bachelor’s
degree or more are projected to grow the fastest,
from approximately 173,410 to 196,700, representing
growth of 13.4 percent.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 5
Summary and Findings
•
New Mexico’s competitive disadvantage is heightened
by lower public high school graduation rates. New
Mexico falls far behind neighboring states and the U.S.
in this measurement. For the 2012–13 school year, 70
percent of students graduated in four years. This was
11 percentage points lower than the graduation rates
for the U.S. and five percentage points lower than
Arizona, the neighboring state with the next lowest
rate. It is imperative that educational attainment
be a focus of policy makers to ensure New Mexico
strengthens its ability to compete for businesses and
to provide better opportunities for all of its citizens.
The Future Workforce
•
New Mexico is projected to see employment grow
by about 101,610 jobs between 2012 and 2022,
representing growth of 12.0 percent. This growth is
projected to generate approximately 30,540 new job
openings a year, of which 35 percent (10,780) are
anticipated to come from new job openings, with the
remaining 65 percent (19,760) coming from the need
to replace workers leaving their occupation.
•
The Albuquerque MSA (the same geography as the
Central Region) is projected to experience the fastest
growth of the state’s four MSAs, while the Northern
Region is projected to experience the fastest growth
of its regions. While more than half of the Northern
Region’s growth is anticipated to occur outside of its
two MSAs, the majority of growth in the Southwestern
Region is projected to occur within the Las Cruces MSA.
6 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
The Eastern Region’s employment is projected to grow
slightly slower than that of the state as a whole, but
faster than employment in the Southwestern Region.
•
Once again, the health care and educational services
industries are projected to lead all industries in numeric
employment growth. These two industries, along with
accommodation and food services; administrative
support and waste management services; and arts,
entertainment, and recreation, are projected to see
the fastest employment growth over the ten-year
period.
•
State
government,
information,
agriculture,
manufacturing, and federal government are all
projected to experience a decline in employment, with
the greatest losses projected in federal government;
all substate areas are projected to experience job
losses in this industry. Agriculture is projected to grow
in the Central and Northern regions, manufacturing
is projected to grow only in the Northern Region,
information is projected to grow the most in the
Northern Region, and the Santa Fe MSA is the only
substate area projected to experience growth in state
government.
•
Within the state’s industry subsectors, employment
growth is projected to be largest in educational
services, ambulatory health care services, and food
services and drinking places. Building material and
garden equipment and supplies dealers; social
assistance; waste management and remediation
Summary and Findings
services; and nursing and residential care facilities
join educational services and ambulatory health care
services in having the fastest growth of all subsectors.
•
Within occupations, projected numeric employment
growth is largest in the food preparation and servingrelated; personal care and services; and education,
library, and training occupational groups. These
occupational groups are joined by the healthcare
support; community and social services; healthcare
practitioners and technical; and computer and
mathematical occupational groups in having the
fastest projected employment growth.
•
While several large detailed occupations are projected
to contribute many new jobs over the projection
period, there are notable smaller occupations that
have fast growth rates that drive their designation
as top growth occupations, including industrial
machinery mechanics; physical therapists; coaches
and scouts; market research analysts and specialists;
postsecondary health specialties teachers; other
health technologists and technicians; and interpreters
and translators.
•
New Mexico’s “Star” occupations are those that are
projected to have the best prospects when combining
median wages, projected future job openings, and
employment growth rate. Elementary and middle
school teachers are ranked at the top of New Mexico’s
Star occupations. Eleven of the 28 Star occupations are
either education or health care-related occupations.
Six of the occupations are management or computer
and mathematical occupations. The occupations on
the list span nearly every required education level,
although 21 require more than a high school diploma/
GED.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 7
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
State, Regional, and County Population Estimates
Over the last year, New Mexico’s population has grown slower than that of the nation and our neighboring states.
Population growth in New Mexico has varied widely over
the past 20 years. In 2013, New Mexico had an estimated
population of slightly under 2.1 million people, an increase of
less than one-tenth of one percent from 2012. New Mexico
had the fourth lowest population growth in the country,
preceded by Pennsylvania, and West Virginia and Maine,
both which lost population over the year.
New Mexico was not only the least populated among
neighboring states in 2013, but it also had the fewest
inhabitants per square mile. The population density was 17.2
persons per square mile, unchanged from last year, followed
by Utah at 35.3 persons per square mile.
The five least populated counties in New Mexico in 2013
were Guadalupe, Union, Catron, De Baca, and Harding. The
five most populated counties were, not surprisingly, either
part of or geographically equivalent to one of New Mexico’s
four MSAs.
This recent slow population growth contrasts greatly to New
Mexico’s past population growth. Over the 20-year time span
starting in 1993, New Mexico’s population increased by 27.4
percent. This growth rate is faster than that of the national
overall rate of 21.6 percent, but slower than most other
neighboring states, with the exception of Oklahoma, at 18.4
percent. Arizona, at 63.0 percent, was the fastest-growing of
the neighboring states during the 20-year period, followed by
Utah, Colorado, and Texas.
New Mexico’s four metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)—
Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, and Las Cruces—are
home to two-thirds of the state’s population. The Central
Region, which also represents the Albuquerque MSA,
contains just over 43 percent of the state’s population and
saw the greatest population growth between 1993 and
2013, increasing at a rate of 38.9 percent over the 20-year
period, or an average annual rate of 1.9 percent.
Total Population & Growth
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2012–2013
30,000
2012
2013
1.2%
1.5%
0.1%
0.9%
26,061
20,000
26,448
1.5%
25,000
1.6%
2,901
2,855
3,851
3,816
2,085
5,000
2,084
5,268
5,189
6,551
10,000
6,627
15,000
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, National, State, and County Intercensal Estimates
Numbers are in thousands, and percentages represent overall growth.
8 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Total Population & Growth
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 1993–2013
30,000
1993
2013
45.6%
45.8%
63.0%
26,448
25,000
18.4%
27.4%
52.8%
1,898
3,851
3,252
2,085
5,268
1,636
5,000
3,614
4,065
10,000
6,627
15,000
2,901
18,162
20,000
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, National, State, and County Intercensal Estimates
Numbers are in thousands, and percentages represent overall growth.
Population Density
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 1993 & 2013
120
1993
2013
89.5
23.1
35.3
56.1
47.4
17.2
13.5
20
34.9
35.8
40
50.8
58.3
69.5
73.6
80
60
101.2
100
0
US
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, National, State, and County Intercensal Estimates and QuickFacts
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 9
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Total Population
Most & Least Populated Counties, 2013
Bernalillo
674.2*
213.5
Doña Ana
Santa Fe
147.4
Sandoval
136.6
San Juan
126.5
Guadalupe
4.6
Union
4.4
Catron
3.6
De Baca
1.9
Harding
0.7
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
300.0
350.0
400.0
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, State and County Intercensal Estimates
* Bernalillo employment exceeds the chart maximum for comparative purposes. Numbers are in thousands.
Total Population & Growth
New Mexico & Its Regions, 1993–2013
2,500
2,000
1,500
1993
27.4%
2013
2,085
1,636
12.7%
38.9%
28.0%
20.8%
1,000
903
500
650
325
366
424
512
238
305
0
New Mexico
Central
Eastern
Northern
Southwestern
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, State and County Intercensal Esitmates
Numbers are in thousands, and percentages represent overall growth.
10 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Over the last 20 years, between 1993 and 2013, more than
half of all counties in New Mexico had double digit growth
rates. Sandoval County, located in the Central Region,
claimed the highest growth rate of all 33 New Mexico
counties, at a rate of 90.5 percent. The next-fastest growth
rates belonged to Valencia, at 50.2 percent, followed by
Lincoln, at 42.6 percent; Doña Ana, at 39.5 percent; Torrance,
at 35.6 percent; and Santa Fe, at 34.1 percent. Over the past
two decades, only six counties had a decline in population.
The counties of Harding, Hidalgo, Quay, De Baca, Los Alamos,
and Colfax declined at rates ranging from a negative 25.8
percent to a negative 2.6 percent.
Population Growth
Top Growing & Shrinking Counties, 1993–2013
100%
90.5%
80%
60%
40%
50.2%
42.6% 39.5%
35.6% 34.1%
20%
0%
-20%
-40%
-2.6% -3.5%
-15.8% -19.1%
-22.8% -25.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, State and County Intercensal Estimates
Why population matters
Population is one of the key elements by which a business can assess the extant labor pool, and it is often taken into
consideration by businesses determining whether to relocate to or establish themselves in a certain area. No one
area or population profile is right for every business; some employers seek rural areas, whereas others wish to take
advantage of areas with high-density populations. The characteristics of the population also come into consideration
as businesses determine whether the population of an area fits the model for their targeted customer base. Population
levels, characteristics, and density are important to any business as it decides to invest in a community.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 11
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Age of the Population
New Mexico has a large population of young and aging persons.
As the baby boomer generation ages, the nation as a whole
has seen an increase in its aging and elderly population. This
trend is seen in New Mexico as well. In 2013, the median age
of the New Mexican population was 36.9, younger than the
national average of 37.5 but the oldest of all its neighboring
states. Median ages in the neighboring states ranged from a
low of 30.2 in Utah to 36.8 in Arizona.
Although New Mexico’s median age rises yearly with the
aging of a populous generation, the state has a significant
young population. Nearly 35 percent of the population
is under the age of 25, which is a greater share than the
national average of 33.3 percent. The prime workforce age
group spans the ages of 25 to 44; about 25 percent of New
Mexico’s population falls into this range, a lower number
than the national average of 26.3 percent, and the lowest of
the neighboring states. The aging population is comparatively
large; 14.7 percent of New Mexico’s population is over the
age of 65. This percentage is higher than the national average
of 14.1 but lower than Arizona’s rate of 15.4 percent. In sum,
when taken in comparison with the national average, New
Mexico is weighted toward large populations of young and
aging persons, with a disproportionately low representation
of working-age individuals.
Population Distribution & Median Age
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2013
100%
90%
80%
37.5
36.8
36.9
36.4
36.2
70%
34.0
30.2
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
US
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Under 5
5 to 14
15 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 to 74
75+
Median Age
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table B01001: Sex by Age
12 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Population by Age
New Mexico, 1993 & 2013
Male
80,000
60,000
40,000
Male
80,000
60,000
40,000
1993
85 and over
80 to 84
75 to 79
70 to 74
65 to 69
60 to 64
55 to 59
50 to 54
45 to 49
40 to 44
35 to 39
30 to 24
25 to 29
20 to 24
15 to 19
10 to 14
5 to 9
Under 5
20,000
What does age
mean?
Female
0
20,000
85 and over
80 to 84
75 to 79
70 to 74
65 to 69
60 to 64
55 to 59
50 to 54
45 to 49
40 to 44
35 to 39
30 to 24
25 to 29
20 to 24
15 to 19
10 to 14
5 to 9
Under 5
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
2013
The age of the population
is a quality that businesses
and educators examine
when
attempting
to
characterize the future
workforce. New Mexico
currently has a large
aging population and
a relatively small labor
force in prime working
age, but the size of the
youth population promises
a larger labor force to
come. Businesses looking
to establish themselves
often value the size of
the future workforce, as
it indicates the potential
for expansion. In turn,
educators and educational
institutions may devise
programs of study based
on the careers they predict
will be in high demand in
the future.
Female
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table B01001: Sex by Age
and State Population Estimates and Demographic Components of Population Change: 1990 to 1999
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 13
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Race & Ethnicity
New Mexico’s racial and ethnic diversity makes for a unique place to live.
Per the decennial Census of 2010, New Mexico is one of four
states that is considered a majority-minority state, which is
defined as a state whose population is composed of less than
50 percent non-Hispanic Whites. The other three states are
Hawaii, California, and Texas. In 2013, slightly over 47 percent
of the New Mexican population was Hispanic/Latino, the
highest rate of any other state in the country. Slightly over
9 percent of New Mexico’s population was American Indian,
the second highest behind Alaska, whose American Indian
population comprised 14.3 percent of the total population.
These percentages were higher than the nationwide average
and the averages of all other neighboring states.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2013
75.0%
73.1%
75.3%
79.0%
60%
73.7%
70%
83.8%
80%
87.4%
90%
0%
US
AZ
CO
NM
White
Black/African American
Other or 2 or More Races
Hispanic/Latino (All Races)
OK
TX
1.1%
1.1%
10.4%
13.4%
12.7%
38.4%
0.4%
11.9%
7.2%
7.5%
12.2%
9.6%
4.0%
0.8%
11.4%
21.0%
10%
4.2%
4.4%
12.5%
30.3%
12.9%
17.1%
20%
0.8%
30%
12.6%
40%
2.0%
9.1%
13.6%
47.3%
50%
UT
American Indian
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates,
Table B02001: Race and Table B03001: Hispanic or Latino Origin by Specific Origin
Other category includes those that are Asian, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific, or other race not mentioned.
Strength in diversity
A diverse population provides multiple economic benefits. Rich and distinct cultural heritage can support a variety of
business and employment opportunities. Furthermore, a diverse labor force can serve as an enticement to businesses
that seek to target a diverse customer base. Businesses that plan to target multilingual and multicultural customers
may look for a labor force that is able to better communicate with and understand the specific needs and demands
of such a customer base.
14 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Income
New Mexico has the lowest average income and median income of all neighboring states and the seventh lowest in the
country.
The average household income in 2013 in New Mexico was
$60,600, lower than the U.S. average of $73,767 and the
seventh lowest in the country. New Mexico’s median income
in 2013 for the past 12 months was $43,872, also lower than
the U.S. average of $52,250 and the lowest in the surrounding
states. Median income represents the income at which half
of New Mexicans earn less than that income, and half earn
more than that income.
Average and Median Household Income
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2013
$90,000
$80,000
$66,389
$70,000
$60,000
$79,381
$73,767
$52,250
$50,000
$73,422
$60,600
$58,823
$48,510
$75,223
$62,014
$43,872
$45,690
$59,770
$51,704
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$0
US
AZ
CO
Average Household Income
NM
OK
TX
UT
Median Household Income
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table DP03: Selected Economic
Characteristics
Income as an indicator of economic health
A high household median income is an indicator of a prosperous local economy that supports high-wage jobs and
demonstrates that residents have a higher level of purchasing power. These indicators can work towards attracting
new businesses to the area, which in turn employ a greater percentage of the workforce. Because median income is
one of many measurements that are symptomatic of economic health, it is used as a diagnostic gauge by economic
developers, policymakers, and other parties interested in evaluating the state of the economy and labor force.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 15
New Mexico’s Population
A Snapshot of Population Across the State
Poverty
New Mexico has the second highest percentage of people living below the poverty level in the country.
In 2013, New Mexico had 21.9 percent of its population living
below the poverty level, the second highest in the country
behind Mississippi, which had 24.0 percent of its population
living below the poverty level. Slightly over 30 percent of
those persons living below the poverty level in New Mexico
had less than a high school education. Almost 31 percent
of persons living below the poverty level had earned a high
school diploma or GED.
Percentage of Persons Living Below the Poverty Level in
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2013
25%
21.9%
20%
18.6%
16.8%
15.8%
15%
17.5%
13.0%
12.7%
10%
5%
0%
US
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12
Months
Poverty’s impacts on the labor force
Reducing New Mexico’s poverty level is an important goal in any plan to strengthen the economy, attract new business,
and improve the living standards of the population. Poverty is a multifaceted issue that is not only strongly influenced
by educational attainment and employment opportunities, but is deeply intertwined with a variety of societal factors
such as purchasing power, health, and community development. Successfully reducing the state’s poverty level and
increasing income and employment would likely generate enhanced economic development opportunities that
benefit all New Mexicans.
16 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
What it Looks Like Now
Labor Force Participation
In 2013, as in 2008, New Mexico’s labor force participation rate was the lowest compared to all neighboring states and had
declined more than those of the U.S. and all neighboring states, except Arizona, in recent years.
In 2013, New Mexico and Arizona each posted labor force
participation rates of 59.3 percent. This was 4.3 percentage
points below the U.S. labor force participation rate and the
lowest participation rate compared with other neighboring
states. For New Mexico, this represented a decline of 3.7
percentage points between 2008 and 2013. Arizona was
the only state to show a steeper decline in its labor force
participation rate during the period, falling by 4.3 percentage
points. Indicatively, Arizona’s and New Mexico’s labor force
participation rates in 2008 were within one percentage point
of that of Oklahoma; however, in 2013 they had each diverged
by 2.3 percentage points below Oklahoma’s participation
rate. Texas, whose labor force participation fell by only 1.7
percentage points from 2008, was the only neighboring state
whose labor force participation rate declined less than that of
the nation as a whole.
Labor Force Participation
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2008 & 2013
Note: Unless otherwise noted,
all information and data specific
to labor force demographics
gathered from the U.S. Census
Bureau (participation, gender,
race, age, education, etc.)
includes both civilian and active
duty armed forces populations.
Labor force estimates,
employment, and unemployment
data, both in total and at industry
and occupational levels, counts
only the civilian labor force due
to methodology of data collection
under the Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages (QCEW),
Occupational Employment
Statistics (OES), and Local Area
Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
programs.
2013
67.2%
66.6%
61.6%
59.3%
57%
63.9%
63.0%
59.3%
59%
63.6%
61%
63.6%
63%
65.9%
65%
68.0%
67%
70.0%
69%
64.9%
2008
71.0%
71%
55%
53%
US
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008 and 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table S2301: Employment Status
What does labor force participation mean?
Labor force participation shows the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and older in the labor force. (i.e.,
persons who are either employed or unemployed and actively looking for work). This rate is driven by many factors
including employment opportunities, the age of the population, cultural factors, and income and wealth. As more
employment opportunities emerge within a wide range of industries and occupations, we may expect to see increases
in labor force participation as more people see relevant opportunities and are motivated to seek work.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 17
New Mexico’s Workforce
What it Looks Like Now
Labor Force Participation by Age Group
New Mexico’s labor force participation has declined at most age ranges, but the participation rates of the youngest and the
middle-aged (45 to 54 years) sections have fallen the most. In contrast, workers 65 and older have experienced increases in
labor force participation.
Between 2008 and 2013, labor force participation for workers
45 to 54 years declined by 4.5 percentage points, the largest
decrease of all age groups. Nevertheless, almost 75 percent
of this age group were still participating in the labor force in
2013, the second highest labor force participation rate of all
age groups. The participation rate of the workforce between
55 and 64 years fell by 3.9 percentage points. Labor force
participation for workers between 16 and 19 years declined
by 3.8 percentage points. Traditionally, less of a percentage
of this age group participate in the labor force. While this is
partly because many persons within this age group are still
living as dependents with parents, possibly still continuing
their education, it is also true that competition increases in
contracted labor markets, especially among workers with
less experience or less developed skills, making it more
difficult to obtain a job. Between 2008 and 2013, labor force
participation increased for workers 65 and older. The largest
increases occurred for workers between 65 and 74. In this
age group, the labor force participation rate grew by 1.3
percentage points.
Labor Force Participation by Age Cohort
New Mexico, 2008 & 2013
90%
2008
2013
62.0%
7.0%
10%
6.6%
22.6%
20%
23.9%
30%
44.4%
40%
40.6%
50%
58.1%
79.4%
74.9%
77.5%
60%
79.9%
75.5%
70%
72.3%
80%
0%
16 to 19
years
20 to 24
years
25 to 44
years
45 to 54
years
55 to 64
years
65 to 74
years
75 years
and over
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008 and 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table S2301: Employment Status
Why does age affect labor force participation?
New Mexicans of different age groups face various challenges within the labor market, which leads to divergent
long-term and short-term trends. The young tend to have less developed skills and less relevant experience than older
workers, on average, and so experience more difficulty in a competitive labor market. They may drop out of the labor
force, or they may delay entering it by gaining more education, especially during a recession. With the aging of baby
boomers, and increases in average lifespan, older workers tend to delay retirements and work longer. Within the
middle-aged cohorts, many workers may become marginally attached or discouraged workers due to pressure from
a greater supply of older workers, an effect perhaps exacerbated by the recent recession.
18 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
What it Looks Like Now
Age & Gender of the Labor Force
New Mexico’s labor force has a higher median age than that of all neighboring states and is only 0.5 percentage point short of
the median age of the nation’s labor force.
The median age of New Mexico’s labor force was 39.8
years in 2013. This represented the highest median age,
when compared with other neighboring states, and came
somewhat close to the median age for the U.S. labor force
of 40.3 years. The median age of neighboring states’ labor
forces ranged from Arizona’s, at 39.7 years, to that of Utah,
which had the lowest median age, at 36.1 years.
New Mexico’s distribution of labor force participation is
weighted towards older workers when compared with
neighboring states. Workers between 22 and 29 years account
for 17.1 percent of the labor force, and workers between 30
and 44 years account for 31.1 percent. Persons in these two
age groups comprised a smaller share of the total labor force
in New Mexico than in other states. Workers in almost all age
categories 45 and above comprised larger shares of the total
labor force within New Mexico than in neighboring states.
Within both New Mexico and Oklahoma, only 0.9 percent of
workers 75 years and above participated in the labor force;
still, this small share of the labor force was higher than that of
the equivalent age group in other neighboring states.
In 2013, men comprised a larger percentage of New Mexico’s
labor force than women across all measured age categories.
It is interesting to note that women between 16 and 44
comprised a smaller share of the labor force than did women
across all age categories 16 and older. The lower levels
in female share of the workforce may be partially due to
women within these age categories often being the primary
providers of parental care to dependent children. In contrast,
women between 45 and 74 comprised a larger share of the
labor force than the all-age average. Men represented 58.0
percent of the workforce of those 75 and older, the largest
male share of the labor force of all age groups.
Labor Force Distribution & Workforce Median Age
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2013
100%
41.0
90%
40.0
80%
40.3
39.7
70%
39.5
39.8
60%
39.0
39.3
39.0
38.0
50%
40%
37.0
30%
36.0
36.1
20%
35.0
10%
0%
34.0
US
16 to 21
AZ
22-29
CO
30-44
NM
45-59
60-64
OK
65-74
TX
75+
UT
Median Age
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates,
Table B23001: Sex by Age by Employment Status and Table B23013: Median Age by Sex for Workers 16 to 24 Years
Data is for the labor force population 16 years and older. Median age is for workers 16 to 64.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 19
New Mexico’s Workforce
What it Looks Like Now
Labor Force Distribution by Gender
New Mexico, 2013
Male
Female
100%
90%
80%
70%
46.7%
45.4%
44.3%
46.0%
48.9%
47.4%
48.2%
53.3%
54.6%
55.7%
54.0%
51.1%
52.6%
51.8%
All 16 &
Older
16-21
22-29
30-44
45-59
60-64
65-74
42.0%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
58.0%
10%
0%
75+
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2013 1-Year Estimates,
Table B23001: Sex by Age by Employment Status
Data is for the labor force population 16 years and older.
Age of the population versus age of the labor force
At almost 15 percent, the share of the total population that is over 65 is higher than that of all New Mexico’s
neighboring states, except Arizona, while the share of people under 25 is below the average of neighboring states
but above the national average. The median age of the workforce was the highest in the region. The experience of
older workers that remain in the labor force should be properly valued. However, the demand for workers in the
future must also be considered as New Mexico’s older workers retire and leave the labor force. Nearly 35 percent of
New Mexico’s population was under the age of 25 in 2013. This younger population may be able to serve the future
demand for workers with appropriate education and training programs. Efforts should also be made to retain New
Mexico’s young workers within the state.
20 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
What it Looks Like Now
Race & Ethnicity of the Labor Force
New Mexico’s workforce is racially and ethnically diverse, but some minority populations face greater challenges and barriers
within the labor market.
In 2013, most racial and ethnic groups participated in the
labor force at higher rates than that of all persons 16 and older
(59.3 percent) across all races and ethnicities. Nevertheless,
the labor force participation rate of American Indians was
6.5 percentage points lower than the average in 2013. This
group, along with those persons that identify themselves
as Black/African American in New Mexico, also experienced
some of the highest unemployment rates during that year.
American Indian New Mexicans saw close to 18 percent of
their labor force unemployed in 2013, the highest of all racial
and ethnic groups. New Mexicans that identified themselves
as Asian had the highest labor force participation and lowest
unemployment rate.
Labor Force Participation by Educational Attainment
New Mexico, 2013
High School Graduate
Some College or Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
US
71.9%
Population 25 to 64 Years
Less than High School Graduate
NM
77.3%
55.4%
60.6%
67.3%
72.8%
74.3%
79.0%
82.5%
86.0%
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table S2301: Employment Status
Data is for labor force participates between 25 and 64 only.
Diversity and employment challenges
It is well known that New Mexico has a unique mix of different racial and ethnic groups and that each of these face
very different challenges in finding work, with some groups facing a disproportionate balance of these challenges. In
order to improve employment opportunities in New Mexico, its diverse population should be seen as an asset with all
of the various racial and ethnic groups being provided equal access to job opportunities within the state.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 21
New Mexico’s Workforce
What it Looks Like Now
Labor Force Participation by Educational Attainment
Though New Mexico’s labor force participation rate is lower than that of the national average, both overall and at each level
of educational attainment, its workforce tracks very closely with that of the nation as a whole in that each step up in education
correlates with an increase in labor force participation rate.
In 2013, 71.9 percent of persons between 25 and 64
participated in the labor force in New Mexico. Of those
persons with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 82.5 percent
participated in the labor force. In 2013, persons with some
college or an associate’s degree in New Mexico had a labor
force participation rate of 74.3 percent. Only 55.4 percent of
persons without a high school diploma or GED participated in
the labor force.
Labor force participation in New Mexico is lower than in the
nation as a whole across all levels of educational attainment.
Persons in New Mexico with a high school diploma or GED
had a labor force participation rate that was 5.5 percentage
points lower than those educated equivalently in the nation
as a whole in 2013.
Labor Force Participation by Educational Attainment
New Mexico, 2013
High School Graduate
Some College or Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
US
71.9%
Population 25 to 64 Years
Less than High School Graduate
NM
77.3%
55.4%
60.6%
67.3%
72.8%
74.3%
79.0%
82.5%
86.0%
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table S2301: Employment Status
Data is for labor force participates between 25 and 64 only.
Educational attainment and participation in the labor force
There is a significant correlation between level of educational attainment and likelihood of participation in the labor
force. It may be that people with higher levels of education find it easier to obtain a job and thus have more motivation
to stay within the labor force. However, there is also the possibility that a proportion of those persons with lower
levels of education are currently not participating in the labor force because they are studying, or planning to study,
to attain a higher level of education.
22 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
Labor Force Growth
New Mexico’s civilian labor force estimate for 2013 was 1.1 percent below its 2007 level, with disparate labor market impacts
throughout the state during the recession and recovery. The Eastern and Southwestern regions posted gains well above 4
percent, while the Central and Northern regions registered declines.
labor force estimate edged up 0.5 percent. Both Arizona,
at negative 3.0 percent, and New Mexico, at negative 0.4
percent, registered declines for 2010–2013, countering a
slight U.S. increase of 1.0 percent. Over the past ten years,
New Mexico’s civilian labor force growth, at 4.3 percent,
lagged the national average, at 6.1 percent, and the rates for
neighboring states.
2003-2007
2007-2010
2010-2013
2003-2013
16.9%
Labor Force Growth Rates
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2003–2013
13.0%
4.1%
7.7%
4.3%
4.1%
2.4%
2.3%
2.3%
4.3%
5.4%
7.2%
10.5%
7.7%
1.4%
1.2%
0.5%
1.0%
4.5%
6.1%
10.0%
3.2%
10.3%
15.0%
10.4%
20.0%
5.0%
17.5%
The Great Recession’s effects extended well past its official
end in June 2009, with labor markets still recovering years
later. New Mexico’s civilian labor force contracted by 1.4
percent for 2009 alone, pushing 2007–2010 growth to
negative 0.7 percent. Utah, at negative 0.2 percent, was
the only other among the six southwest states analyzed
that posted a decline for the period, while the U.S. civilian
-0.7%
-0.4%
-3.0%
-5.0%
-0.2%
0.0%
-10.0%
US
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and NMDWS calculations
Within New Mexico, the Southwestern and Eastern regions
fared better during the downturn than did the Central and
Northern regions. The Southwestern Region posted labor
force growth of 3.0 percent for 2007–2010 and 1.3 percent
for 2010–2013, while respective Eastern Region increases
were 1.2 percent and 3.3 percent. These gains were more
than offset by losses for the Central Region, at negative
1.7 percent for both periods, and the Northern Region, at
negative 2.1 percent for 2007–2010 and negative 1.9 percent
for 2010–2013. Statewide labor force expansion of 4.3
percent for 2003–2013 was likewise unevenly distributed,
with the Eastern Region up 10.5 percent, the Southwestern
Region up 10.1 percent, the Central Region up 2.9 percent,
and the Northern Region down 0.7 percent.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 23
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
2003-2007
2007-2010
2010-2013
2003-2013
12.0%
10.1%
10.5%
Labor Force Growth Rates
New Mexico & Regions, 2003–2013
2.0%
3.0%
1.3%
1.2%
4.0%
3.5%
3.3%
5.5%
5.7%
2.9%
4.3%
6.0%
5.4%
8.0%
6.4%
10.0%
-0.7%
-1.9%
-2.1%
-1.7%
-4.0%
-1.7%
-0.4%
-2.0%
-0.7%
0.0%
-6.0%
NM
CWIA
EWIA
NWIA
SWIA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and NMDWS calculations
Bright spots and areas of continued focus
Post-recession labor market recovery has been generally slow throughout the country, with labor force dynamics—
changes in levels and participation rates—the subject of much debate. Slower job and population growth for New
Mexico may reflect, in part, worker migration to more abundant opportunities out of state. New Mexico’s labor force
growth exceeded the national average in the years preceding the recession’s onset, but the state’s gradual recovery
has been insufficient to counter losses. The one area of strength has been southeastern New Mexico’s oil and gas
activities, which have produced significant direct and indirect labor market gains.
24 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
Employment Growth
New Mexico’s household survey-based employment has recovered modestly since the depths of the recession, with most
neighboring states, and the nation as a whole, posting higher growth rates.
New Mexico’s employment growth, at 8.1 percent, ranked
near the middle among neighboring states and the U.S.
in the years preceding the Great Recession (2003–2007).
The downturn’s effects, however, pushed New Mexico’s
employment growth to negative 5.3 percent between 2007
and 2010, a precipitous decline eclipsed only by Utah’s
negative 5.8 percent dip. From 2010 to 2013, Texas, at 6.4
percent, and Utah, at 8.2 percent, posted rapid employment
growth, while the New Mexico gain was just 0.8 percent,
exceeding only Arizona’s, at negative 0.3 percent. Growth
rates for the 2003–2013 period ranged from 19.0 percent for
Utah to 3.2 percent for New Mexico.
in the Central and Northern regions, with employment
tumbling more than 6.5 percent for each. The Eastern Region,
at 4.9 percent, posted the highest growth rate during the
2010–2013 recovery, far exceeding the statewide increase of
0.8 percent.
Eastern Region employment was boosted by robust 2013
over-the-year gains for Lea County, at 4.4 percent, and Eddy
County, at 4.2 percent. Los Alamos County employment
contracted by 3.9 percent from a year earlier, the largest
decline statewide, with Taos, at 2.1 percent, recording the
highest rate of growth in the Northern Region. All four Central
Region counties grew by 0.2 percent, while the Southwestern
Region’s 2013 year-over-year increases ranged from 1.8
percent for Luna County to negative 2.6 percent for Socorro
County.
2007-2010
2010-2013
2003-2013
6.7%
3.4%
6.4%
7.5%
3.9%
4.1%
-0.6%
0.8%
3.2%
-5.8%
-5.3%
-4.1%
-7.0%
-4.8%
-2.0%
-4.0%
-0.3%
3.0%
8.1%
9.8%
3.6%
3.5%
4.5%
8.0%
6.0%
13.0%
7.7%
12.6%
18.0%
10.4%
17.4%
23.0%
19.0%
2003-2007
8.2%
Employment Growth Rates
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2003–2013
16.7%
New Mexico’s 2003–2007 employment growth comprised
solid increases for all four regions: Southwestern, 9.5 percent;
Eastern, 8.8 percent; Central, 8.7 percent; and Northern, 6.1
percent. The bulk of recessionary losses, however, occurred
-12.0%
US
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and NMDWS calculations
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 25
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
2003-2013
9.5%
9.6%
2010-2013
2.0%
1.1%
3.2%
0.8%
4.9%
8.0%
4.0%
2007-2010
6.1%
8.8%
8.7%
8.1%
12.0%
2003-2007
11.2%
Employment Growth Rates
New Mexico & Regions, 2003–2013
-1.8%
-1.7%
-0.8%
-6.7%
-6.6%
-8.0%
-5.3%
-4.0%
-2.6%
-0.4%
0.0%
-12.0%
NM
CWIA
EWIA
NWIA
SWIA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and NMDWS calculations
Bright spots and areas of continued focus
New Mexico’s employment growth, after exceeding the U.S. rate in the years preceding the recession, during the
recovery has been lower than the national average and the rates for surrounding states. Growth in the Eastern
Region, primarily centered on oil and gas activities in the Permian Basin, has been a key driver of employment gains,
but continued contraction in the Central and Northern regions prevented any significant improvement in statewide
conditions. Southwestern employment levels, while positive, have been minimal since the area’s economy entered
recovery.
26 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
Over-the-Year Employment Changes
New Mexico's Counties by Region, 2007–2013
Socorro
Sierra
Bernalillo
2013
Sandoval
2013
Luna
Torrance
2012
Hidalgo
2011
Valencia
2010
2009
Grant
Guadalupe
2008
Dona Ana
Central
Harding
2007
Catron
Quay
Southwestern
Union
Taos
Northeastern
Santa Fe
Curry
San Miguel
De Baca
Mora
Roosevelt
East-Central
Los Alamos
North-Central
Chaves
Colfax
Eddy
San Juan
Lea
Rio Arriba
McKinley
Cibola
Northwestern
Otero
Lincoln
Southeastern
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and NMDWS calculations
Increased more than 2%
Increased between 1% & 2%
Increased less than 1%
Decreased less than 1%
Decreased between 1% and 2%
Decreased more than 2%
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 27
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
Unemployment Growth
New Mexico’s unemployment rate increased more sharply than the national average during the recession and decreased
more gradually during early recovery.
Unemployment rates for the U.S. and the six neighboring
southwest states were remarkably similar prior to the last
business cycle peak, ranging in 2003 from a high of 6.7
percent in Texas to a low of 5.6 percent in Oklahoma. New
Mexico’s rate, at 5.9 percent, was nearer the low end. From
2003 through 2007, joblessness fell more sharply in New
Mexico, to 3.5 percent, than in any of the other states except
Utah, where it dipped from 5.7 percent to 2.6 percent.
Between 2007 and 2010, the national unemployment rate
more than doubled, from 4.6 percent to 9.6 percent, and
all six neighboring states also posted large gains, with New
Mexico’s increase, from 3.5 percent to 8.0 percent, ranking
near the middle. During the 2010–2013 recovery, New
Mexico’s unemployment rate fell to 6.9 percent, a more
gradual decline than for its neighbors and the nation as a
whole.
The Central Region’s unemployment rate was lower than
the statewide level for 2003 (5.5 percent to 5.9 percent)
and 2007 (3.4 percent to 3.5 percent) before recessionary
impacts reversed the relationship, with the Central Region’s
rate moving higher than New Mexico’s for 2010 (8.3 percent
to 8.0 percent) and 2013 (7.2 percent to 6.9 percent).
Eastern Region joblessness was lower than the statewide
rate for all four years (2003, 5.7 percent; 2007, 3.0 percent;
2010, 6.6 percent; and 2013, 5.2 percent). Conversely, the
Southwestern Region’s unemployment rate exceeded the
statewide level for all four years (7.7 percent, 4.3 percent, 8.7
percent, and 8.1 percent).
County-level 2007–2010 unemployment rate changes provide
additional detail on recessionary effects. In the Southwestern
Region, Luna County, which regularly posts the state’s highest
Unemployment Rates
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2003–2013
2010
2013
2.6%
4.4%
5.7%
6.3%
6.7%
8.1%
8.2%
2007
4.4%
4.1%
5.4%
5.6%
6.9%
8.0%
6.9%
3.5%
5.9%
9.0%
6.8%
5.7%
6.1%
3.8%
4.0%
3.7%
4.6%
6.0%
8.0%
6.0%
8.0%
9.6%
7.4%
10.0%
2003
10.4%
12.0%
2.0%
0.0%
US
AZ
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
28 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
Future Workforce Supply
to 4.8 points for both Bernalillo County, from 3.3 percent to
8.1 percent, and Sandoval County, from 4.0 percent to 8.8
percent. Lea County’s unemployment rate more than tripled,
from 2.3 percent to 7.4 percent, up 5.1 percentage points,
representing the Eastern Region’s largest change. Its smallest
was De Baca County’s increase of 2.0 points, from 3.6 percent
to 5.6 percent.
Unemployment Rates
New Mexico & Regions, 2003–2013
2003
2007
2010
3.0%
8.7%
4.3%
3.4%
3.0%
3.4%
3.5%
5.0%
4.0%
7.7%
6.8%
7.9%
5.2%
5.9%
6.6%
5.7%
5.5%
6.0%
5.9%
7.0%
6.9%
8.0%
7.2%
8.0%
9.0%
8.3%
10.0%
2013
8.1%
unemployment rate, registered the largest increase, at 8.4
percentage points, from 9.4 percent to 17.8 percent. Grant
County’s rate nearly tripled, from 3.5 percent to 10.2 percent,
a 6.7 percentage point increase. Socorro County’s change, at
2.7 percentage points, from 3.0 percent to 5.7 percent, was
the region’s smallest. The Northern Region’s largest increase
came in Mora County, up 7.5 percentage points, from 7.3
percent to 14.8 percent. Los Alamos County recorded the
smallest increase, at 1.4 percentage points, from 2.0 percent
to 3.4 percent. Central Region changes ranged from 5.9
points for Valencia County, from 3.6 percent to 9.5 percent,
2.0%
1.0%
0.0%
NM
CWIA
EWIA
NWIA
SWIA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and NMDWS calculations
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 29
New Mexico’s Workforce
How it’s Growing
Unemployment Rates for Counties with Largest/Smallest Increases
Select New Mexico Counties by Region, 2003–2013
2003
6.4%
5.2%
6.7%
6.8%
5.6%
4.3%
4.6%
8.1%
8.4%
5.7%
6.0%
5.3%
10.0%
6.9%
12.0%
10.3%
10.8%
14.0%
7.3%
16.0%
8.0%
2013
14.0%
18.0%
4.0%
2.0%
0.0%
Central
Eastern
Northern
Southwestern
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and NMDWS calculations
During the 2010–2013 recovery, joblessness declined for
nearly every county as the statewide unemployment rate
decreased 1.1 percentage points, from 8.0 percent to 6.9
percent. Only three counties, all in the Northern Region,
posted increases: Los Alamos, 3.4 percent to 4.0 percent;
McKinley, 9.2 percent to 9.3 percent; and Rio Arriba, 8.2
percent to 8.3 percent. The largest decrease for the Northern
Region occurred in San Juan County, where the rate dipped
2.4 percentage points, from 9.1 percent to 6.7 percent.
Central Region unemployment rate changes ranged from
negative 1.7 percentage points for Valencia County, from 9.5
percent to 7.8 percent, to negative 0.8 point for Sandoval
County, from 8.8 percent to 8.0 percent. The widest spread
in rate changes occurred in the Eastern Region, with Lea
County down 3.3 points, from 7.4 percent to 4.1 percent,
and Curry County down just 0.2 point, from 5.3 percent to
5.1 percent. Grant County, down 2.9 percentage points, from
10.2 percent to 7.3 percent, posted the largest Southwestern
Region decline, while Sierra County, down 0.1 point, from 6.3
percent to 6.2 percent, tallied the smallest.
Bright spots and areas of continued focus
New Mexico’s labor market recovery has been gradual, with the unemployment rate declining more slowly than in
neighboring states and for the nation as a whole. With lagging employment growth, the New Mexico unemployment
rate decline was due mostly to a large number of the unemployed exiting the labor force. The state’s economy has
been boosted by oil and gas activity in southeastern New Mexico’s portion of the Permian Basin, but continued
recovery of the state’s labor market will require more broad improvement, with multiple sectors creating employment
opportunities that expand the labor force.
30 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
Industries, Occupations & Wages
Employment in New Mexico’s Industries
The health care industry has shown the largest growth in all regions throughout New Mexico, except the Eastern Region,
where mining has shown the largest and fastest growth.
In 2013, nearly one in every six New Mexico jobs (16.1
percent) was in the health care industry, making it the top
employing industry within the state and all regions. Retail
trade, accommodation and food services, and educational
Industry Distribution
New Mexico, 2013
Information
1.8%
Agriculture
1.4%
services followed health care, with a combined share of
total employment amounting to 32.3 percent. These top
four employing industries account for almost half of the jobs
within New Mexico.
Real Estate & Rental
1.3%
Arts, Entertainment &
Other Services
Recreation
(Ex. Government)
2.2%
2.6%
Finance & Insurance
2.7%
Wholesale Trade
2.7%
Utilities
0.8%
Mgmt of Companies &
Enterprises
0.6%
Health Care & Social
Assistance
16.1%
Transportation &
Warehousing 2.8%
Mining
3.3%
Retail Trade
11.7%
Manufacturing
3.7%
Admin./Support &
Waste Mgmt Svcs
5.5%
Accommodation &
Food Svcs
10.7%
Construction
5.8%
Professional,
Scientific &
Technical
Svcs
Public
6.7%
Administration
7.7%
Educational Svcs
9.9%
Source: Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages (QCEW)
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 31
New Mexico’s Workforce
Industries, Occupations & Wages
Industry Employment Growth
New Mexico, 2008–2013
-35%
-25%
-15%
-5%
5%
15%
Health Care & Social Assistance
12,123
10.5%
4,920
Mining
23.3%
2,281
Accommodation & Food Services
2.8%
112
Utilities
1.8%
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
-295
-5.5%
-543
Agriculture
-4.7%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
-4.8%
Finance & Insurance
-5.2%
-885
-1,175
Real Estate & Rental
-1,324
-11.6%
-1,551
Public Administration
-2.5%
-2,269
Transportation & Warehousing
-9.2%
Wholesale Trade
-9.5%
-2,275
-2,504
Educational Svcs
-3.1%
Other Services (Ex. Government)
-11.2%
Information
-2,607
-3,026
-17.6%
Numeric Change
% Change
-4,230
Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs
-7.4%
-4,578
Retail Trade
-4,760
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
-4.7%
-9.9%
-5,941
Manufacturing
Construction
25%
-17.0%
-15,192
-24.9%
-18,000
-13,000
Four industries saw positive growth between 2008 and 2013.
Health care had the largest share of employment and added
the most jobs between 2008 and 2013. During this period,
12,123 new jobs were added, representing 10.5 percent
growth. Mining, though it only represented 3.3 percent of
total employment in 2013, was the fastest growing industry in
the state over the same period. Between 2008 and 2013 the
industry expanded by 23.3 percent, adding 4,920 new jobs,
representing the second largest number of new jobs added
across all industries. Accommodation and food services,
32 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
-8,000
-3,000
2,00 0
Source: Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages (QCEW)
7,00 0
12,0 00
which employed 10.7 percent of working New Mexicans in
2013, also saw positive growth. The industry added 2,281
new jobs, a 2.8 percent increase, between 2008 and 2013.
Utilities, which employed 0.8 percent of working New
Mexicans in 2013, added 112 jobs, a 1.8 percent increase,
between 2008 and 2013. Several industries saw employment
decline between 2008 and 2013. Manufacturing and
construction faced the largest losses, totaling 21,133, with
construction contracting the fastest (by 24.9 percent).
New Mexico’s Workforce
Industries, Occupations & Wages
Industry employment distribution in New Mexico’s regions
reflects that of the state as a whole. In 2013, health care
was the top employing industry in every region. Retail
trade made up the second largest share of employment in
all regions except the Southwestern Region of the state,
where educational services has the second largest share of
employment. Employment in mining made up a significant
share of the Eastern Region’s total employment, whereas
employment in accommodation and food services composed
a large share of total employment in the Northern and Central
regions.
Largest and Fastest Growing Industries
New Mexico's Regions, 2008–2013
CENTRAL
NORTHERN
Largest Growth
Fastest Growth
Largest Growth
Fastest Growth
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration
Accommodation & Food Services
Utilities
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Utilities
Mining
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
Agriculture
Mining
Agriculture
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
Mining
Largest Growth
EASTERN
Mining
Retail Trade
Accommodation & Food Services
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
Manufacturing
Fastest Growth
Mining
Utilities
Accommodation & Food Services
Retail Trade
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
Largest Growth
SOUTHWESTERN
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs
Mining
Utilities
Fastest Growth
Health Care & Social Assistance
Utilities
Mining
Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs
Accommodation & Food Services
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)
Only four industries experienced growth between 2008 and 2013 within the Northern Region.
Industry-level employment growth data is often suppressed
for New Mexico’s regions and counties, so specific data is
not provided in this report. The largest and fastest growing
industries are listed based on growth between 2008 and
2013. Health care was the largest growth industry for all
regions except the Eastern Region, where mining showed the
largest and fastest growth. Both utilities and mining were in
the top three fastest growing industries for all regions, except
the Northern Region. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and
hunting was the fastest growing industry within the Northern
Region.
Bright spots and areas of continued focus
Employment within New Mexico declined by about 4.1 percent between 2008 and 2013, with a loss of approximately
33,700 jobs. The health care industry is a bright spot within New Mexico, in terms of employment distribution as
well as fast and numerically substantial job growth. The mining industry has also been providing increasingly good
employment opportunities; growth of around 23.3 percent between 2008 and 2013 exceeded the next highest growth
rate by 12.8 percentage points, but growth is concentrated in the southeastern counties. Of New Mexico’s top five
employing industries, health care and accommodation and food services experienced positive employment growth
between 2008 and 2013. Retail trade, educational services, and public administration, the remaining industries
within the top five, along with many other industries, experienced job losses over the period. Construction suffered
the largest loss of employment and lost those jobs more quickly than other industries, illustrating the significant
impacts of the 2007 to 2009 recession and slow recovery.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 33
New Mexico’s Workforce
Industries, Occupations & Wages
Occupational Employment of the Workforce
A fourth of New Mexico’s workforce is employed in office and administrative support or sales and sales-related occupations.
The highest paying occupational groups were in the management and architecture and engineering occupational fields.
In 2013, sales and administrative occupations accounted
for a fourth of all New Mexico jobs. Employment in office
and administrative support occupations, the group with the
highest share of all employment, made up 15.5 percent of
all New Mexico jobs. Sales and sales-related occupations
and food preparation and serving occupations each
contributed about 10 percent of total employment. Fortyeight percent of all employment in New Mexico fell within
the top five employing occupational categories. Of the top
five occupational groups, education, training, and library (6.6
percent) was the only occupation that paid an average wage
above the all-occupation average. The only occupational
group within the top five that did not fall within sales,
service, or office-related occupations was construction and
extraction.
Occupational Distribution
New Mexico, 2013
Life, Physical & Social
Science
Community & Social
1.4%
Services
1.7%
Architecture &
Engineering
2.7%
Arts/Design/
Entertainment/
Sports/Media
Legal
1.1%
0.7%
Computer &
Mathematical
1.8%
Farming, Fishing &
Forestry
0.4%
Healthcare Support
2.8%
Protective Service
3.1%
Office & Administrative
Support
15.5%
Building & Grounds
Cleaning &
Maintenance
3.3%
Food Preparation &
Serving-Related
9.8%
Production 3.8%
Installation,
Maintenance & Repair
4.0%
Business & Financial
Operations
4.1%
Sales & Related
9.7%
Personal Care &
Service
4.6%
Management
5.1%
Healthcare
Practitioners &
Transportation
Technical
& Material
5.5%
Education,
Training
& Library
6.6%
Construction &
Extraction
6.7%
Moving
5.6%
Source: Occupational Employment
Statistics (OES) program
34 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
Industries, Occupations & Wages
The highest paying occupational groups were management
(5.1 percent of total employment) and architecture and
engineering (2.7 percent of total employment), with mean
wages of $90,800 and $80,010, respectively. Education,
training, and library occupations accounted for 6.6 percent of
total employment, with a mean wage of $43,710. While it was
not the highest paying occupational group, the mean wage
was above the total all-occupational mean wage. Architecture
and engineering; life, physical, and social science; and
computer and mathematical groups fall within STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupations and
made up approximately 6 percent of employment. The mean
wages of STEM jobs were all above the total all-occupation
mean wage. The other five occupational groups paying higher
than the all-occupation average had a combined share of
total occupational employment of 16.8 percent.
Mean Wage of Occupations
New Mexico, 2013
Management
Architecture & Engineering
Life, Physical & Social Science
Legal
Computer & Mathematical
Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Business & Financial Operations
Arts & Entertainment
Education, Training & Library
Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Total All Occupations
Community & Social Services
Construction & Extraction
Protective Service
Production
Transportation & Material Moving
Office & Administrative Support
Sales & Related
Healthcare Support
Building/Grounds Cleaning & Maint.
Farming, Fishing & Forestry
Personal Care & Service
Food Preparation & Serving-Related
$90,800
$81,010
$75,600
$75,110
$71,450
$71,330
$60,260
$46,730
$43,710
$41,980
$41,470
$40,440
$40,440
$39,630
$35,150
$33,310
$31,420
$30,130
$27,410
$22,560
Source: Occupational Employment
$22,220
Statistics (OES) program
$21,440
Grey-colored categories represent those with a
$20,760
wage above the all-occupation average.
Bright spots and areas of continued focus
Though office-based and sales-related occupations have lost many jobs since 2007, they still held the highest share
of the occupational distribution in 2013. Healthcare and education are bright spots in that their share of total
employment has increased and they both offer higher than average wages. Healthcare jobs were less impacted by the
recession and have recently experienced growth. Healthcare and education are also projected to continue providing
some of the most lucrative employment options in the future.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 35
New Mexico’s Workforce
Skills & Education
Educational Attainment of the Population & Labor Force
New Mexico’s education attainment was lower, on average, than surrounding states and the nation. New Mexico’s average
freshman graduation rates were the lowest compared to surrounding states and the nation.
In 2013, New Mexico was home to a less educated populace
than the surrounding states and the nation, on average.
About 86 percent of the general population and 89 percent
of the labor force had at least a high school degree or
equivalent, meaning that 11 percent of the labor force had
not attained that level of education. This is higher than the
national average of 9.4 percent. Additionally, 29.9 percent of
the New Mexico labor force had earned a bachelor’s degree
or higher level of education. This is lower than the national
average of 34.6 percent and is the second lowest in the
region; Oklahoma has the smallest share of the labor force
holding a bachelors or more, at 28.2 percent.
New Mexico’s labor force, however, may be suited to the
Educational Attainment for the Population & Labor Force
New Mexico, 2013
40%
% of Population
% of Labor Force
33.4%
34.4%
29.9%
30%
26.3%
26.1%
24.7%
20%
14.1%
11.0%
10%
0%
Less than High School
High School
Some College or
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree or
Higher
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates,
Table B23006: Educational Attainment by Employment Status for the Population 25 to 64 Years
Data is for civilian labor force (population 25 to 64), as military has specific educational requirements that may impact analysis.
demands and needs of the state’s employers, at least when it
comes to educational attainment. Although nearly 30 percent
of New Mexico’s workforce had earned a bachelor’s degree
or higher as of 2013, only 16.5 percent of jobs within the
state actually required that level of education upon entry into
the job (as of 2012). A number of workers, therefore, may
36 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
be employed in positions that do not demand the degree of
education they have earned. It is important to note, however,
that education level is not always reflective of the entire skill
set needed for a particular position.
About two-thirds of New Mexico’s jobs require a high school
New Mexico’s Workforce
Skills & Education
Educational Attainment of the Labor Force
New Mexico & Neighboring States, 2013
CO
NM
OK
TX
UT
25%
20%
10%
5%
0%
9.4%
11.4%
7.5%
11.0%
9.8%
14.2%
7.1%
15%
Less than High School
24.9%
22.5%
19.2%
24.7%
29.5%
23.3%
21.4%
30%
High School
31.2%
35.3%
31.6%
34.4%
32.6%
30.8%
37.9%
35%
Some College or
Associate's Degree
41.7%
AZ
29.9%
28.2%
31.7%
33.6%
US
40%
34.6%
30.9%
45%
Bachelor's Degree or
Higher
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2013 1-Year Estimates, Table B23006: Educational Attainment
by Employment Status for the Population 25 to 64 Years Data is for the civilian labor force (population 25 to 64); military has
specific educational requirements that may impact analysis.
diploma/equivalent or less, based on standard occupational
education requirements determined by the U.S. Department
of Labor. Occupations with this education requirement are
projected to add approximately 66,600 jobs between 2012
and 2022; this represents the largest numerical growth
over the ten-year period when compared to jobs that have
higher education requirements. However, the jobs which are
projected to see the fastest rate of growth are jobs requiring
a master’s degree. Although these jobs will only expand by
about 2,900 openings, this represents a high growth rate of
21.6 percent, given the smaller demand pool. Furthermore,
jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree are expected to grow at
the rate of 12.6 percent, representing 17,500 new jobs.
New Mexico struggles with below-average graduation rates.
For the 2012–2013 school year, New Mexico was ranked
forty-eighth of all reporting states in public high school
graduation rates. This measures the percentage of students
who graduate in four years with a high school diploma. New
Mexico’s graduation rate was 63 percent in the 2010–2011
school year, much less than the national average of 79
percent. New Mexico’s rate did increase to 70 percent in the
2012–2013 school year, but it still fell short of the national
average of 81 percent. New Mexico’s graduation rates were
the lowest of all neighboring states; neighboring states saw
75 to 88 percent of students graduate.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 37
New Mexico’s Workforce
Skills & Education
Employment by Educational Requirement
New Mexico, 2012
Doctoral/Prof.
2.4%
Master's 1.6%
Bachelor's
16.5%
Less Than HS
29.4%
Associate's
4.7%
Postsec. NonDegree Award
5.6 %
HS
Diploma/
Equiv.
38.3%
Some
College, No
Degree
1.4%
Source: NMDWS
Employment
Projections program
Employment Growth by Educational Attainment Required
New Mexico, 2012–2022
25.0%
21.6%
20.0%
18.3%
16.4%
15.0%
11.6%
10.0%
14.0%
12.6%
10.2%
8.0%
5.0%
38 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
Doctoral/Prof.
Master's
Bachelor's
Associate's
Postsec.,
Non-Degree Award
Some College,
No Degree
HS Diploma/Equiv.
Less than HS
0.0%
Source: NMDWS Employment Projections program
New Mexico’s Workforce
Skills & Education
Graduation Rate New Mexico, 2010-2013
83
88
85
70
77
75
81
80
70
75
76
80
76
74
63
60.0
78
79
70.0
86
80.0
88
90.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
-
10.0
0.0
-
20.0
2010-2011
US
AZ
2011-2012
CO
NM
OK
TX
2012-2013
UT
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
The adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) represents an estimate of the percentage of students who graduate in 4
years with a high school diploma.
Note: Oklahoma rates are not available for the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 school years.
Education and continuing challenges
The educational attainment of the labor force is one of the most important factors in the continuing economic
development of the state and its business environment. Businesses that seek to recruit highly educated professionals
look to put down roots in states and communities that support a labor force with the requisite education level. New
Mexico may currently be positively situated in equilibrium, wherein the majority of jobs do not require a bachelor’s
degree or higher and, in turn, the majority of the labor force has not attained one. Projected economic trends,
however, threaten this state of balance. Jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher are projected to grow faster
than jobs requiring a high school degree or less. Policy makers and educators should continue to focus their efforts on
improving high school graduation rates and educational attainment, in general, to ensure that the future workforce
can serve as a major asset in the attraction and development of new businesses alongside improving the employment
opportunities for New Mexico’s workers.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 39
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Projected Employment Growth in New Mexico’s Industries
The health care and social assistance and educational services industries once again lead the way in projected employment
growth. Employment is projected to increase by more than 23 percent in each industry, with growth in both combined exceeding
47,000 and representing nearly half of all projected employment growth in the state.
Employment in New Mexico is projected to increase from
approximately 845,380 to 946,990 between 2012 and 2022;
this represents growth of 12.0 percent, or roughly 101,610
jobs. Growth is anticipated to create approximately 30,540
job openings per year, of which 35 percent (10,780) are
projected to be new job openings from growth, while the
remaining 65 percent (19,760) are projected to come from
the need to replace workers leaving their occupation (e.g.,
retirement, occupational change).
Projected Employment Growth
by Major Industry, 2012–2022
New Mexico
-12
-7
-2
3
8
13
18
23
Health Care & Social Assistance
28
24.6
18,430
Educational Svcs
23.8
16,030
Accommodation & Food Svcs
19.7
10,930
Retail Trade
12.0
7,800
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs
4,620
Construction
3,750
Other Services (Ex. Government)
2,610
Local Government
2,430
Mining
2,420
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
2,230
Wholesale Trade
1,870
Transportation & Warehousing
1,570
19.3
8.8
9.1
12.4
5.7
Real Estate & Rental
1,220
Finance & Insurance
1,000
10.1
16.9
8.8
8.3
12.7
4.8
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
260
Utilities
250
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
130
0.4
5.8
2.6
-90
State Government
-0.4
Numeric
Pct
-470
Information
-3.5
Agriculture
-5.7
-620
-1,180
Manufacturing
-4.0
-3,070
Federal Government -11.7
-16,100
40 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
29,490
-6,100
3,90 0
Source: NMDWS
Employment Projections
program
Growth is rounded.
13,9 00
23,9 00
33,9 00
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
The health care and social assistance and educational services
industries are anticipated to provide the largest number of
new jobs, with employment projected to grow by 29,490
(24.6 percent) and 18,430 (23.8 percent), respectively, over
the ten-year period. Accommodation and food services;
administrative, support, and waste management services;
and arts, entertainment, and recreation are each projected
to see their employment increase by over 16 percent. Of the
23 major industries for which employment projections are
produced, five are projected to see a decline in employment,
with the federal government and manufacturing industries
experiencing the largest numeric losses.
NMDWS also produces industry employment projections
for nearly 100 industry subsectors. Educational services
leads all subsectors in projected employment growth. The
major educational services industry only includes this one
subsector, partially explaining why it leads other subsectors.
Three of the four subsectors within health care and social
assistance can be found in the top 16 growth subsectors,
including ambulatory health care services; social assistance;
and nursing and residential care facilities. In fact, these three
subsectors fall within the top six with respect to employment
growth and the top five with respect to rate of growth.
Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers
is projected to see the fastest growth of all 16 subsectors
shown (35.9 percent).
Industry Subsectors Projected to Grow
the Most and Fastest, 2012–2022
0.0
New Mexico
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
Educational Services
30.0
35.0
40.0
18,430
23.8
14,490
Ambulatory Health Care Services
31.8
Food Services & Drinking Places
21.6
13,750
8,900
Social Assistance
7,190
Administrative & Support Services
18.8
3,380
Nursing & Residential Care Facilities
2,810
General Merchandise Stores
35.5
24.7
12.4
2,760
Bldg Material & Garden Equip. & Supplies Dealers
2,290
Accommodation, Incl. Hotels & Motels
35.9
13.0
2,000
Amusement, Gambling & Recreation Industries
1,910
Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealers
1,620
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
17.8
14.3
1,480
Religious/Grantmaking/Civic/Prof. Organizations
23.4
900
Oil & Gas Extraction
Numeric
Pct
15.5
17.9
620
Waste Mgmt & Remediation Services
26.8
580
Rental & Leasing Services
0
16.7
500 0
100 00
150 00
200 00
Source: NMDWS Employment Projections program
Growth is rounded.
Only includes industries with 2012 employment greater than 380.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 41
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Projected Employment Growth in New Mexico’s Substate
Areas
NMDWS prepares industry and industry subsector
employment projections for New Mexico’s four
MSAs and four regions (with the Albuquerque Projected Employment Growth
MSA and Central Region representing the same by Major Industry, 2012–2022
geography). While large industries are similar across
all substate areas, projected employment growth,
Health Care & Social Assistance
and how strong it may or may not be, can be unique
Educational Svcs
to specific areas.
-18.5
Central Region/Albuquerque MSA
Central Region/
Albuquerque MSA
-8.5
1.5
11.5
***
41.5
26.8
7,540
20.5
***
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
42 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
31.5
23.4
Accommodation & Food Svcs
The Central Region and Albuquerque MSA
Retail Trade
represent the same geography and, therefore, the
same economic data. The economy is expected to Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs
generate about 56,730 new jobs through the year
Construction
2022, with employment increasing from 379,740 to
Wholesale Trade
436,470 (rounded). This represents a growth rate
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
of about 14.9 percent, which is higher than that of
the state. With over 40 percent of the labor force
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
located in the Central Region (as of 2013), projected
Other Services (Ex. Government)
employment growth trends reflect, to a large
Finance & Insurance
degree, those of the state as a whole. Health care
Local Government
and social assistance and educational services are
projected to see the largest and some of the fastest
Transportation & Warehousing
employment growth. Many industries are projected
Real Estate & Rental
to grow faster in the Central Region/Albuquerque
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
MSA than in the state. When analyzing both growth
rate and numeric growth (as a percentage of industry
Information
statewide growth), a few industries stand out as
Agriculture
being particularly strong, including self-employed
Utilities
and unpaid family workers; wholesale trade;
finance and insurance; management of companies
State Government
and enterprises; administrative support and waste
Mining
management services; and arts, entertainment, and
Manufacturing
recreation. The agriculture industry is very small
in the Central Region/Albuquerque MSA, but is
Federal Government
expected to grow. The Northern Region is the only
other region projected to experience employment
growth in this industry.
13,580
21.5
31.0
5,480
13.4
3,730
13.2
2,570
13.8
2,340
20.2
1,660
6.9
***
22.8
1,110
11.2
1,010
9.5
970
Numeric
Pct
5.8
***
11.2
790
230
15.1
6.8
170
2.1
80
***
17.5
7.2
-10
-0.2
***
***
Source: NMDWS
Employment Projections
program
Growth is rounded.
*** Data is suppressed.
-1,090
-6.1
-11.6
-10,000
-1,460
-5,000
0
5,00 0
10,0 00
15,0 00
20,0 00
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Eastern Region
in the region, as they are projected to experience faster
employment growth than at the state level, and projected
employment growth represents a decent amount of total
industry growth statewide. Close to half of all gross projected
employment growth in the mining industry is anticipated to
occur in the Eastern Region; this measure does not take into
consideration losses in other substate areas. The growth in
construction and transportation and warehousing is likely
tied to such growth.
The Eastern Region, which does not house an MSA, is
projected to experience employment growth of about 11.7
percent, or 16,370 jobs, over the projection period; this rate
is slower than that of the state. Employment is projected to
increase from approximately 139,730 to 156,100 (rounded).
The health care and social assistance and accommodation
and food services industries are projected to see the largest
and fastest employment growth. Mining, construction, and
transportation and warehousing are industries of strength
Projected Employment Growth
by Major Industry, 2012–2022
-17.5
Eastern Region
-7.5
2.5
12.5
4,730
22.5
32.5
Health Care & Social Assistance
30.2
3,350
Accommodation & Food Svcs
24.2
1,910
Educational Svcs
15.6
Retail Trade
1,690
Mining
1,610
Construction
1,580
10.9
11.8
Transportation & Warehousing
580
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
450
Other Services (Ex. Government)
390
Local Government
360
Finance & Insurance
240
Real Estate & Rental
210
Wholesale Trade
160
13.4
8.3
11.7
5.8
7.7
13.9
4.9
Professional, Scientific & Technical…
150
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
***
4.8
***
Information
60
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
50
Utilities
4.5
6.8
0
-0.2
-10
State Government
-0.2
Numeric
Pct
***
Agriculture
-0.5
-200
Manufacturing
-5.5
Federal Government -11.6 -480
-520
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
-4.7
-2,800
19.9
-1,800
-800
200
1,20 0
Source: NMDWS
Employment Projections
program
Growth is rounded.
*** Data is suppressed.
2,20 0
3,20 0
4,20 0
5,20 0
6,20 0
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 43
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Northern Region and Farmington and Santa Fe
MSAs
The Northern Region, which includes the Farmington and
Santa Fe MSAs, is projected to see employment grow from
about 200,840 to 233,090, representing 32,250 new jobs
(rounded) and growth of 16.1 percent. The region is projected
to see its employment grow more quickly than any other
New Mexico region and all of its MSAs. Interestingly, a large
portion of this growth is projected to occur in the non-MSA
areas of the north.
Health care and social assistance and accommodation and
food services top the list of industries for largest projected
44 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
growth. Employment in many industries is expected to grow
more quickly than at the state level. Industries projected to
grow faster in the north than at the state level and for which
employment growth makes up a decent share of industry
growth statewide include the following: self-employed and
unpaid family workers; mining; utilities; wholesale trade;
information; administrative support and waste management
services; other services; professional, scientific, and technical
services; and manufacturing. Agriculture is also projected
to grow, and only in the Northern and Central regions.
The Northern Region is unique in that it’s the only region
that is projected to see an increase in employment in the
manufacturing industry, although losses in other substate
areas are projected to exceed such gains.
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Projected Employment Growth
by Major Industry, 2012–2022
-20
-10
Northern Region
0
10
20
30
Health Care & Social Assistance
8,480
40
50
29.8
60
3,810
Accommodation & Food Svcs
18.2
3,160
Educational Svcs
16.6
2,660
Retail Trade
11.3
2,420
Professional, Scientific & Technical…
16.3
2,400
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
1,740
Mining
1,230
Other Services (Ex. Government)
***
Construction
22.8
21.6
12.8
1,020
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
49.7
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
970
Local Government
860
22.3
7.5
5.8
Wholesale Trade
***
Information
***
20.1
***
Manufacturing
380
Real Estate & Rental
360
Finance & Insurance
320
Transportation & Warehousing
230
Utilities
***
Agriculture
110
11.8
19.7
7.6
40
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
9.1
12.7
6.9
-30
State Government
-0.2
Federal Government -11.8 -490
-3,700
-1,700
300
Numeric
Pct
15.9
2,30 0
Source: NMDWS
Employment Projections
program
Growth is rounded.
*** Data is suppressed.
4,30 0
6,30 0
8,30 0
10,3 00
In the Northern Region, much of the employment growth over
the ten-year period is projected to occur outside of the two
MSAs. Employment in the Farmington MSA is projected to
grow by 13.0 percent, or about 6,850 jobs, with employment
increasing from 52,480 to 59,330 (rounded). Employment in
the Santa Fe MSA is projected to grow by 8.7 percent, the
slowest of all four MSAs, or about 5,670 jobs. Employment is
projected to increase from 65,160 to about 70,830 (rounded).
While employment is projected to grow more slowly in the
MSAs than in the region as a whole, employment in the
non-MSA areas is projected to grow much faster, driving the
region’s higher growth rate of 16.1 percent.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 45
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
The Northern Region’s two MSAs do have some Projected Employment Growth
key areas of growth. Within the Farmington by Major Industry, 2012–2022
MSA, the mining, wholesale trade, and
Mining
transportation and warehousing industries are
projected to grow faster than at the state level,
Retail Trade
with numeric growth comprising a fair share of
Health Care & Social Assistance
total industry growth statewide. The growth
Accommodation & Food Svcs
in these industries is largely related to mining
operations in the San Juan Basin. Employment
Wholesale Trade
growth in mining in the Northern Region
Educational Svcs
is almost entirely expected to come from
Construction
growth within the Farmington MSA. Within the
Santa Fe MSA, the construction, finance and
Local Government
insurance, and state government industries
have strong projected employment prospects Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
Transportation & Warehousing
when evaluating rate of growth and share of
statewide industry growth. The Santa Fe MSA is
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
the only substate area that is projected to see
Professional, Scientific & Technical…
employment grow in state government. Losses
in state government in other substate areas are
Other Services (Ex. Government)
anticipated to outweigh such gains.
Real Estate & Rental
-17.5
As mentioned before, growth in many
industries is projected to be strongest in
the non-MSA areas of the Northern Region.
Three industries—agriculture, manufacturing,
and information—are actually projected to
experience their only employment growth
outside of the two MSAs. Other key industries
that have fast and significant growth,
comparatively, include self-employed and
unpaid family workers; utilities; professional,
scientific, and technical services; administrative
support and waste management services;
and other services. In addition, the projected
growth in health care and social assistance and
arts, entertainment, and recreation stands out
within the non-MSA areas.
Farmington MSA
-7.5
2.5
12.5
32.5
42.5
52.5
26.5
62.5
1,000
14.2
21.7
500
1,700
1,030
16.6
860
29.1
380
7.9
300
8.5
250
5.7
210
18.5
190
14.7
140
80
17.9
8.8
80
5.4
70
Utilities
60
Finance & Insurance
40
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
40
13.8
5.8
4.6
1.2
Manufacturing
20
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
10
46 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
22.5
1.3
2.6
0
State Government
Numeric
Pct
-0.5
-10
Agriculture
-3.8
Information
-4.9
-10
Federal Government -11.9
-500
-90
0
500
Source: NMDWS
Employment
Projections program
Growth is rounded.
1,00 0
1,50 0
2,00 0
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Projected Employment Growth
by Major Industry, 2012–2022
-17
Santa Fe MSA
-12
-7
-2
3
8
Health Care & Social Assistance
18
23
15.1
710
8.6
570
6.5
560
12.1
530
Accommodation & Food Svcs
Retail Trade
Educational Svcs
Construction
Other Services (Ex. Government)
330
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
320
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
270
Finance & Insurance
270
State Government
240
2.9
220
Professional, Scientific & Technical…
Wholesale Trade
140
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
120
2.4
100
2.9
90
Local Government
Real Estate & Rental
Manufacturing
40
Transportation & Warehousing
40
Mining
10
Utilities
10
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
10
Agriculture
Federal Government -12.6
-1,000
18.4
14.0
15.1
8.8
11.7
6.0
7.1
10.2
5.6
Numeric
Pct
2.6
-110
-500
0
19.7
15.3
-60
-7.9
28
1,290
13.6
-20
-9.9
Information
13
500
Source: NMDWS
Employment
Projections program
Growth is rounded.
1,00 0
1,50 0
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 47
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Southwestern Region and Las Cruces MSA
growth, although growth is slower than that which is
anticipated to be seen at the state level. Many of the
major industries are expected to grow more slowly in
the Southwestern Region. Professional, scientific, and
technical services is a key exception, with employment
projected to grow by 12.7 percent and 530 jobs. This
growth rate is 3.9 percentage points higher than that of
the state.
The Southwestern Region, which includes the Las Cruces
MSA, is projected to see employment increase from about
105,780 to 114,140, representing 8,360 new jobs (rounded)
and growth of 7.9 percent. This rate is the slowest of all
regions and MSAs. Health care and social assistance and
educational services are projected to experience the greatest
Projected Employment Growth
by Major Industry, 2012–2022
-15
Southwestern
Region
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
Health Care & Social Assistance
2,610
25
1,950
Educational Svcs
13.0
1,860
Accommodation & Food Svcs
20.4
1,050
Retail Trade
9.7
630
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
19.2
530
Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs
***
Construction
12.7
7.2
Local Government
270
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
210
5.7
17.5
***
Transportation & Warehousing
7.4
100
Finance & Insurance
Wholesale Trade
***
Real Estate & Rental
80
Mining
50
Utilities
30
Other Services (Ex. Government)
30
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
10
4.7
7.2
9.1
3.2
5.8
1.8
2.9
-10
State Government
-0.4
Information
-50
-4.6
Numeric
Pct
***
Manufacturing
-1.4
Agriculture
-7.2
-340
-530
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
-6.3
Federal Government -11.3 -610
-2,000
48 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
20
16.0
-1,000
0
Source: NMDWS
Employment Projections
program
Growth is rounded.
*** Data is suppressed.
1,00 0
2,00 0
3,00 0
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
The majority of growth in the Southwestern Region
is projected to occur in the Las Cruces MSA, with Projected Employment Growth
employment increasing from 75,450 to 84,830, by Major Industry, 2012–2022
representing growth of 12.4 percent, or 9,380 new
Health Care & Social Assistance
jobs (rounded). With this rate being much faster than
that of the region as a whole, the non-MSA areas are
Educational Svcs
anticipated to see significantly slower employment
Accommodation & Food Svcs
growth. Within the MSA, construction; professional,
Retail Trade
scientific, and technical services; wholesale trade;
retail trade; and finance and insurance are all bright
Professional, Scientific & Technical…
areas of growth, with growth rates greater than that
Admin./Support & Waste Mgmt Svcs
seen at the state level and a large percentage of
Construction
overall industry growth anticipated to occur within
the area.
Wholesale Trade
-16
-11
Las Cruces MSA
-6
-1
4
9
2,890
14
19
1,680
29
20.9
15.2
910
26.6
580
19.0
570
16.5
270
Local Government
160
Finance & Insurance
160
Transportation & Warehousing
120
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
100
Other Services (Ex. Government)
60
Manufacturing
30
Real Estate & Rental
30
Utilities
20
Mining
0
Mgmt of Companies & Enterprises
0
34
23.7
15.7
1,310
1,130
24
24.7
5.7
9.4
7.9
9.4
4.6
1.2
4.1
5.8
8.3
2.0
-10
State Government
-0.4
-30
Information
Numeric
Pct
-3.6
-30
Agriculture
-0.9
-130
Self Employed/Unpaid Family
-2.1
-430
Federal Government -11.2
-3,100
-2,100
-1,100
-100
900
1,90 0
Source: NMDWS
Employment
Projections program
Growth is rounded.
2,90 0
3,90 0
4,90 0
5,90 0
Using industry employment projections
Employment projections are utilized by many stakeholders, such as policy makers, educators, and individuals, for a
variety of purposes. Employment projections are used to develop, direct, and fund educational and training programs.
For example, by identifying that there will be large gains in future job openings in health care, educational services,
and accommodation and food services, policy makers and education and training program managers can make more
informed decisions on how to allocate resources to meet future needs for these industries. On the other hand, job
seekers can use projections to identify some of the best employment opportunities based on job growth, wages, and
level of education required.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 49
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Projected Occupational Employment Growth
Personal care-related; education, training, and library; and healthcare-related occupations are projected to see the fastest
employment growth between 2012 and 2022.
Employment is projected to grow by about 101,610 jobs, or
12.0 percent, in New Mexico between 2012 and 2022. This is
anticipated to result in approximately 30,540 job openings a
year (rounded), of which 35 percent (10,780) are projected
to be new job openings from growth, while the remaining
65 percent (19,760) are projected to come from the need to
replace workers leaving their occupation (e.g., retirement,
occupational change).
Projected Employment Growth by Major Occupation,
2012–2022
-12.5
-2.5
7.5
17.5
New Mexico
Median Wage
15,030 $18,910
27.5
Food Preparation & Serving-Related
37.5
19.8
47.5
13,570
Personal Care & Service
$19,030
31.3
11,430
Education, Training & Library
$41,750
23.1
Office & Administrative Support
9,210
7.4
Sales & Related
$28,830
8,040
10.1
$22,840
6,960
Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
$59,560
14.3
5,480
Healthcare Support
$26,140
22.2
4,450
Construction & Extraction
$36,080
7.7
Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance
4,320
Transportation & Material Moving
4,150
$20,670
13.4
$29,180
9.2
Installation, Maintenance & Repair
3,470
Management
3,100
$78,280
2,890
$54,670
$37,980
10.5
5.5
Business & Financial Operations
8.7
Protective Service
2,270
Community & Social Services
2,230
Computer & Mathematical
2,030
$34,280
10.0
$36,800
15.4
$67,180
13.8
1,110
Production
$29,880
3.6
Life, Physical & Social Science
780
Architecture & Engineering
670
Arts/Design/Entertainment/Sports/Media
520
Legal
300
$65,050
5.7
$75,160
3.1
$38,700
5.0
$60,190
4.7
-400
Farming, Fishing & Forestry
Numeric
-5.3
-6,000
-1,000
4,00 0
9,00 0
Pct
14,0 00
$18,950
19,0 00
24,0 00
Source: NMDWS Employment Projections program
Growth is rounded.
50 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
Employment growth in food preparation and serving
occupations is projected to account for close to 15 percent
of total growth across all occupations. The combination of
this growth and that in personal care and service occupations
(around 13 percent of total growth), health care-related
occupations (just over 12 percent of total growth), and
education, training, and library occupations (over 11 percent
of total employment growth) comprises over 50 percent of
total projected employment growth; that’s not including the
large growth anticipated for office and administrative support
and sales and related occupations. These occupational groups
are traditionally large; therefore, it is useful to look at how
quickly employment is projected to grow to further identify
occupational groups with promising growth prospects.
Such groups include building and grounds cleaning and
maintenance, but also community and social services and
the higher-paying computer and mathematical occupational
group.
Typically, the number of projected job openings corresponds
with projected employment growth; this is the case across
the majority of occupational groups. Projected annual job
openings are shown by growth openings and replacement
openings, which can provide useful information on types of
employment demand anticipated in the future. Of the major
occupational groups, only three are projected to see more
job openings from growth than replacement needs. These
groups include education, training, and library; personal care
and service; and healthcare support.
NMDWS produces occupation employment projections for
over 800 detailed occupations. Around 200 occupations are
projected to grow by 100 or more; about 415 occupations
are projected to grow by less than 100, statewide, over
the projection period; just over 30 are not projected to see
employment change; and just over 150 are projected to see
their employment decline between 2012 and 2022. Again,
large employment growth is not the sole indicator of industry
or occupation employment prospects; rate of employment
growth should also be evaluated. Tying in wage data provides
an ability to evaluate economic impacts of projected
employment growth.
Projected Annual Openings by Major Occupation Group
2012–2022
Food Preparation & Serving-Related
Office & Administrative Support
Sales & Related
Education, Training & Library
Personal Care & Service
Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Management
Construction & Extraction
Transportation & Material Moving
Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance
Healthcare Support
Business & Financial Operations
Production
Protective Service
Architecture & Engineering
Community & Social Services
Life, Physical & Social Science
Computer & Mathematical
Arts/Design/Entertainment/Sports/Media
Farming, Fishing & Forestry
Legal
New Mexico
4,284
2,781
1,503
3,716
2,612
1,104
3,361
2,545
816
2,183
1,038
1,145
679 2,041
1,362
1,687
987
700
1,597
1,102
495
1,559
1,105
454
1,461
426 1,035
1,121
350 771
432 663 1,095
553 472 1,025
293 657 950
177 697 874
228 615 843
103 466 569
227337 564
Growth
89 399 488
Replacements
206 239 445
78 241 319
4 216 220
Source: NMDWS Employment
31104 135
Projections program
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 51
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
When looking at detailed occupations that are projected to
grow the fastest and by the greatest number of jobs, several
large occupations make the list, including personal care
aides (ranked third in total employment as of 2012), food
preparation and serving workers (ranked eighth), elementary
school teachers (ranked nineteenth), and teacher assistants
(ranked twenty-third in total employment). Notable
occupations for which their fast projected employment
growth drives their designation as one of the greatest and
fastest growing include industrial machinery mechanics;
physical therapists; coaches and scouts; market research
analysts and specialists; postsecondary health specialties
teachers; other health technologists and technicians; and
interpreters and translators. All of these occupations, except
coaches and scouts, have a median annual wage that is
greater than that for all occupations combined.
Detailed Occupations with the Greatest and Fastest
Growth
2012–2022
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
New Mexico
40.0
50.0
Personal Care Aides
2,420
Home Health Aides
2,430
Elementary Sch. Teachers, Ex. Special Edu.
***
Postsecondary Health Specialties Teachers
Restaurant Cooks
980
1,410
Spvrs of Food Prep. & Serving Workers
Physical Therapists
320
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
340
Kindergarten Teachers, Ex. Special Edu.
380
Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technicians
390
Coaches & Scouts
290
Edu./Guidance/Sch./Vocational Counselors
370
Computer Systems Analysts
360
Bartenders
520
Substitute Teachers
640
27.6
$47,130
$46,290
$29,580
28.2
$84,610
28.0
$46,450
26.4
$44,850
26.1
$33,510
$19,930
$48,540
$19,490
20.2
$73,180
25.4
$19,350
22.3
Numeric
Pct
21.4
$18,740
$49,200
19.8
$37,940
33.1
490
$31,690
20.7
146
Interpreters & Translators
$54,090
25.2
180
Fitness Trainers & Aerobics Instructors
$27,090
24.3
1,120
80.0
$128,160
$20,850
31.8
1,580
Other Health Technologists & Technicians
$49,000
27.8
Teacher Assistants
Secondary Sch. Teachers, Ex. Career/Tech.
27.6
28.1
730
Medical Secretaries
$18,020
26.8
300
Market Research Analysts & Specialists
27.8
25.0
***
Other Postsecondary Teachers
70.0
$19,640
54.4
1,790
Middle Sch. Teachers, Ex. Career/Tech.
60.0
45.4
4,370
Food Prep. & Serving Workers, Incl. Fast Food
Median Wage
10,450 $18,530
51.0
$38,230
42.3
Source: NMDWS Employment Projections program
Growth is rounded and *** indicates data is suppressed.
List includes occupations that rank at the top for both numeric and percentage growth. Excludes graduate teaching assistants.
0
52 NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
2,00 0
4,00 0
6,00 0
8,00 0
10,0 00
12,0 00
14,0 00
16,0 00
New Mexico’s Workforce
The Future Workforce
NMDWS uses employment New Mexico's STAR Occupations
Annual
Median
Education Required
projections and wage data 5-STAR
Openings
Annual Wage
for Entry
440
$49,000
Bachelor's Degree
to identify some of the best 25-2021 Elementary School Teachers ∞
25-2022 Middle School Teachers ∞
180
$47,130
Bachelor's Degree
occupational opportunities 29-1123 Physical Therapists
60
$84,610
Doctorate/Prof. Degree
within New Mexico. An 11-9111 Medical & Health Services Mgrs
90
$88,560
Bachelor's Degree
270
$49,200
Bachelor's Degree
occupation’s
designation 25-2031 Secondary School Teachers ∞
29-1141 Registered Nurses
540
$64,070
Associate's Degree
as a “Star” occupation is 11-1021 General & Operations Mgrs
500
$79,140
Bachelor's Degree
based on the combination 13-1111 Management Analysts
140
$60,890
Bachelor's Degree
80
$44,850
Bachelor's Degree
of its rankings with respect 25-2012 Kindergarten Teachers ∞
49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
70
$46,450
High School Diploma/Equiv.
to projected annual job 4-STAR
openings, rate of job 15-1121 Computer Systems Analysts
60
$73,180
Bachelor's Degree
growth, and median wage. 25-1199 Postsec. Teachers, All Other
60
$54,090
Doctorate/Prof. Degree
70
$61,570
Doctorate/Prof. Degree
Elementary and middle 19-3031 Clinical, Counseling & Sch. Psychologists
47-5013 Oil/Gas/Mining Svc Unit Operators
140
$50,350
Less than High School
school teachers top the 11-9032 Elem./Secondary Edu. Administrators
60
$75,590
Master's Degree
list of best occupational 21-1012 Edu./Guid./Sch./Vocational Counselors
70
$48,540
Master's Degree
80
$33,510
Associate's Degree
opportunities
in
New 29-2012 Medical & Clinical Lab. Technicians
15-1133 Systems Software Developers
60
$85,560
Bachelor's Degree
Mexico, with their rankings 15-1151 Computer User Support Specialists
110
$42,500
Some College, No Degree
largely driven by projected 3-STAR
annual job openings. The 39-9031 Fitness Trainers & Aerobics Instructors
80
$31,690
High School Diploma/Equiv.
340
$42,720
High School Diploma/Equiv.
list includes six education 43-1011 Spvrs of Office & Administrative Workers
29-2061 Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses
120
$44,830
Postsec., Non-Degree Award
occupations, five health 25-2052 K-Elem. Special Ed. Teachers
50
$48,340
Bachelor's Degree
care
practitioner
and 21-1021 Child, Family & School Social Workers
60
$36,560
Bachelor's Degree
70
$48,010
High School Diploma/Equiv.
technical occupations, three 41-3099 Sales Reps, Services, All Other
29-2041 Emergency Medical Techs & Paramedics
70
$34,960
Postsec., Non-Degree Award
management occupations, 31-9091 Dental Assistants
70
$31,560
Postsec., Non-Degree Award
and three computer and 43-3011 Bill & Account Collectors
70
$31,770
High School Diploma/Equiv.
mathematical occupations. ∞ Excludes preschool through kindergarten special education teachers and middle through postsecondary school special, career, and
The Star occupations span technical education teachers.
nearly all education levels; more than half,
however, require at least a bachelor’s degree.
Using occupational employment projections
Occupational employment projections are used to inform policy decisions on education, training, and resource
allocation. They also provide information for job seekers to engage in focused career exploration. Occupational
projections are often found to be very relevant inasmuch as they refer to specific job-related tasks and skills. Many of
the projected future jobs will be in occupations that typically have large employment. These occupations, however,
often offer lower-than-average wages.
There are a variety of factors that an individual weighs differently when he or she is searching for a job or exploring
career opportunities and making employment decisions. Some place the greatest importance on wage and income,
while others are more concerned with employability prospects, work environment, location, or benefits. Occupational
projections can be extremely useful to job seekers in helping them assess which occupations best meet what they
are looking for in a job and career. Information on the best occupational opportunities not only provides these
individuals with information to make informed career choices, but it sheds a brighter light on the factors they should
be considering when making such choices.
STATE OF THE WORKFORCE 2015 53
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
P.O. Box 1928
Albuquerque, NM 87102
www.dws.state.nm.us