Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
New Mexico has about 923,000 employed workers, with government, healthcare and oil & gas as the leading employers.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED NMNA).
| Indicator | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Employment (thousands) | 923 | 161500 |
Unemployment
New Mexico's unemployment rate was 3.9% in 2024, slightly above the national average.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED NMUR).
| Indicator | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 3.9 | 4 |
Labor Force
New Mexico's civilian labor force totals about 960,000, with labor force participation below the national rate.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED NMLF).
| Indicator | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force (thousands) | 960 | 168000 |
Occupations
The largest occupational groups in New Mexico include office and administrative support, sales, food service, and oil and gas extraction workers.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Oil & gas jobs (thousands) | 22 | 170 |
Salaries
New Mexico's median annual wage is about $44,200, ranking below the national median due to lower private-sector pay outside oil and gas.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU35000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU35000000500000003).
| Indicator | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (USD) | 44200 | 48060 |
Remote Work
Remote work in New Mexico covers about 15% of workers, concentrated in Santa Fe and Albuquerque professional and government jobs.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 15 | 17.9 |
Workforce Participation
New Mexico's labor force participation rate is 56.9%, among the lowest in the country, reflecting an older population and rural areas with fewer job opportunities.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA35).
| Indicator | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Participation rate (%) | 56.9 | 62.5 |