New Mexico ranks 7th in the nation for job growth, state adds 11,200 jobs

New Mexico's job growth rate is more than four times the national rate

SANTA FE - Amid an affordability crisis and sluggish job growth nationwide, New Mexico added 11,200 jobs over the past year and ranks 7th in the nation for job growth, according to September employment figures released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

New Mexico's 1.3 percent year-over-year growth was more than four times the national rate of 0.3 percent. Among Southwestern states, New Mexico ranked third. Only Nevada and Utah grew faster, at 1.4 percent each. New Mexico's rate was higher than those of Texas (1.1 percent), California (0.8 percent), Arizona (0.7 percent), Oklahoma (0.7 percent), Colorado (0.5 percent) and Wyoming (0.4 percent).

"While high costs and tepid job growth squeeze families across the country, New Mexico is charging straight into those headwinds, and we're gaining ground," said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. "We're building, manufacturing, and caring for people, and we're opening doors for working families in every corner of the economy we've invested in. That's a model for the country."

The private sector added 8,400 jobs, and seven of the nine private industry categories gained jobs over the year. Goods-producing industries led with growth of 4.4 percent:

• Construction added 2,800 jobs (5.1 percent).
• Mining added 1,400 jobs (5.6 percent).
• Manufacturing added 600 jobs (2.2 percent).

Health care and social assistance added 3,700 jobs (2.8 percent). Retail trade added 2,200 jobs (2.3 percent), and wholesale trade grew 3.3 percent.

Total employment grew even though federal government employment in New Mexico fell by 2,000 jobs, or 7.0 percent, over the year. Local government added 4,200 jobs, including 2,700 in local education.

"Despite continued instability in the federal workforce, these numbers show that our efforts to diversify New Mexico's economy are working," said Workforce Solutions Secretary Sarita Nair. "Contractors are building, health care providers are hiring and manufacturers are expanding. New Mexicans are going to work in every corner of the state."

New Mexico's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in September.