New Mexico was well able to withstand the effects of a US recession of 2001 - 2002. The recession of 2008 - 2009 resulted in some job loss in the state, but in lesser numbers than throughout the rest of the nation.

State of New Mexico overall unemployment was at a relatively low 4.4% at the end of the 3rd Quarter of 2008, while the higher national average was calculated to be 58 percent higher at 7.6%. new Mexico has continued to grow in population and create new jobs ever since 1960 and is forecast to continue in these long-term trends (see chart below).

A focus upon the Sustainability industry and green collar job development, including alternative energy resources and technologies are key. for example, photovoltaic manufacturing along is creating hundreds of new jobs. Space Travel is emerging as a strong industry in New Mexico as well, stemming from a healthy Scientific and Technological Research and Design sector.

At the end of January 2009, the state jobs department illustrated that about 70% of jobs in the state do not require postsecondary education (college or university). On-the-job (OJT) and short-term training certificates suffice for these occupations.

In the future, additional new jobs in New Mexico jobs will require additional training, into the ranks of courses for longer-term certificate training, apprenticeships, and AA and higher college degrees. Internships and fellowships are applicable, especialy in the rising Sustainability Industry.

New Mexico is growing faster than surrounding states in the Southwest. Its four neighbors are showing loss of population through migration out of the states each year, while New Mexico is showing a net gain of residents. People are moving in and staying to enjoy long-term careers and business interests.

The state and its major metropolitan areas are expected to continue to grow through 2017.

Although the United States as a nation has continued to increase in population (around 330,000,000 in early 2009), growth has been inconsistent.

From 1990 - 2000, 684 of the nation's 3142 counties reported a net population loss and most of these counties were in the Great Plains Region. However, a total of five counties, with three in Colorado and two in Georgia, doubled their total populations. Also, 80 OTHER counties experienced growth rates higher than 50% increases.

Considering the nation and its population as a whole, 1109 of its counties reported population growth that beat the national average of 13% increase from 1990 - 2000. New Mexico is a state that contains some of these counties.

The two largest segments in the New Mexico population are 1) individuals ages 5 - 19, and 2) ages 35 - 49. These are children & youth and mid-careerists, families that will likely grow even further with a) additional children in these families and b) additional families moving into the state. The children and youth category contains more males than females, while the older category contains more females than males to nearly the same degree.

Some very good news is that the povery levels of all age groups in New Mexco declined significanty from 1990 - 2000 and continued to do so through 2008..  

Top 20 Jobs in Sustainable New Mexico

The fastest growing occupational clusters in the state include:

• Computer Software Applications Engineers
• Accountants & Auditors - Includes Forensic Accounting.
• Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse’s Aides and support staff
• Personal & Home Care Aides; Home Health Aides (HHAs)
• Medical Assistants
• Elementary, Middle School and High School Teachers
• Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers
• Retail Sales Persons and Customer Service Representatives
• Food and Beverage Preparation Staff & Servers – All types and levels
• Social & Human Service Assistants

Top 10 Jobs in Albuquerque

Top 10 Jobs in Farmington

Top 10 Hot Jobs in Las Cruces

• Las Cruces on FaceBook - A friendly town in an engaging format. Representatives of Las Cruces are quite engaging an dready to help with answers to your questions on their FaceBook page. 

Top 10 Hot Jobs in Santa Fe, NM - Sustainability Now!

Top 10 Hot Jobs in Truth Or Consequences NM

Top 30 Cities for Jobs 2008 - 2009

• Top fast growing cities in New Mexico were named to this list of the 30 best cities in America for jobs - even in a recession - by CareerBoard.com for 2009. These cities are expected to continue to grow in both population and new business & jobs during the first half of the 21st Century. Green business and citywide sustainability initiatives are making this possible,