
Fastest-growing jobs in New Mexico
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in New Mexico. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in New Mexico.
#50. Physicians, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.1% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,640
--- Employment in 2023: 1,490
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+
#49. Emergency Medical Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.2% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,400
--- Employment in 2023: 1,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,850

#48. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.5% (190 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,000
--- Employment in 2023: 1,810
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $86,840
#47. Receptionists and Information Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.7% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,370
--- Employment in 2023: 4,850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,320

#46. Wellhead Pumpers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.9% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,320
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $68,220

#45. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.1% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,120

#44. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.1% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,100
--- Employment in 2023: 990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,670

#43. Management Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.3% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,440
--- Employment in 2023: 3,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $84,870
#42. Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.3% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,400
--- Employment in 2023: 4,850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,760

#41. Education Administrators, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.8% (120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,140
--- Employment in 2023: 1,020
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $105,350

#40. Medical and Health Services Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.9% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,910
--- Employment in 2023: 2,600
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $121,580
#39. Tellers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.2% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,480
--- Employment in 2023: 2,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,060
#38. Medical Records Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.4% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,360
--- Employment in 2023: 1,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,340

#37. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.4% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,630
--- Employment in 2023: 2,340
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,740

#36. Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.5% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,170
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $79,900

#35. Software Developers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.6% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,810
--- Employment in 2023: 4,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $120,820

#34. Sales Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.4% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,270
--- Employment in 2023: 1,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $106,330
#33. Business Operations Specialists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.7% (1,060 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,270
--- Employment in 2023: 7,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $76,490

#32. Roofers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.1% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,070
--- Employment in 2023: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,440
#31. Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.4% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,850
--- Employment in 2023: 2,470
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,530
#30. Information and Record Clerks, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.7% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,030
--- Employment in 2023: 890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,530
#29. Project Management Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.1% (860 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,890
--- Employment in 2023: 5,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $102,940

#28. Self-Enrichment Teachers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.8% (180 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,190
--- Employment in 2023: 1,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,070
#27. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.6% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,320
--- Employment in 2023: 2,800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,970

#26. Buyers and Purchasing Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.2% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,020
--- Employment in 2023: 1,680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,840

#25. Buyers and Purchasing Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.2% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,020
--- Employment in 2023: 1,680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,840

#24. Computer User Support Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.0% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,210
--- Employment in 2023: 3,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,540

#23. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.8% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,350
--- Employment in 2023: 1,930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $52,460

#22. Compliance Officers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.9% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,620
--- Employment in 2023: 2,150
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $67,640

#21. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.0% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,330
--- Employment in 2023: 1,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $93,290

#20. Bartenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.3% (630 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,460
--- Employment in 2023: 2,830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,370
#19. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.7% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,130
--- Employment in 2023: 2,490
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $71,930

#18. Dental Hygienists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.1% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,400
--- Employment in 2023: 1,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $96,410

#17. Nurse Practitioners
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.4% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,870
--- Employment in 2023: 1,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $138,440
#16. Billing and Posting Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.3% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,040
--- Employment in 2023: 1,590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,150

#15. Graphic Designers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.6% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,170
--- Employment in 2023: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,780

#14. Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.8% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,610
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $71,960

#13. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.4% (880 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,770
--- Employment in 2023: 2,890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,810

#12. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.6% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,630
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,130

#11. Counter and Rental Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.2% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,460
--- Employment in 2023: 1,820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,440
#10. Administrative Services Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.5% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,100
--- Employment in 2023: 1,550
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $104,520

#9. Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.6% (680 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,590
--- Employment in 2023: 1,910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,100

#8. Food Preparation Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +36.3% (2,220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,330
--- Employment in 2023: 6,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,350

#7. Construction Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.2% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,780
--- Employment in 2023: 1,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $100,580
#6. Driver/Sales Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +52.1% (860 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,510
--- Employment in 2023: 1,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,870

#5. Amusement and Recreation Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +54.5% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,730
--- Employment in 2023: 1,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,140

#4. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +58.0% (800 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,180
--- Employment in 2023: 1,380
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,680
#3. Childcare Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +58.7% (1,280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,460
--- Employment in 2023: 2,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,240

#2. Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +202.9% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,060
--- Employment in 2023: 350
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,820
#1. Cooks, Short Order
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +436.8% (830 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,130
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.