Staff Reports
New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7%in August, down from 4.8%t in July and up from 4.1% in the previous year. The national unemployment rate in August was 4.1%, unchanged from the rate in July and down from 4.3% in August 2025.
Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 11,300 jobs, or 1.3%, between August 2025 and August 2026. The private sector was up 7,200 jobs, or 1%, while the public sector was up 4,100 jobs, or 2.2%. Within the private sector, the private service-providing industries were up 2,500 jobs, or 0.4%, while employment in the goods-producing industries was up 4,700 jobs, or 4.3%. Six of the nine private industries reported gains compared to employment levels in August 2025.
Within the goods-producing industries, mining and construction was up 4,200 jobs, or 5.2%. Within mining and construction, mining was up 1,300 jobs, or 5.2%, while construction was up 2,900 jobs, or 5.2%. Manufacturing employment was up 500 jobs, or 1.8%, from the previous year. Within manufacturing, durable goods manufacturing was up 300 jobs, or 1.9%, and non-durable manufacturing was up 200 jobs, or 1.6%.
Within the private service-providing industries, trade, transportation, and utilities employment was up 3,400 jobs, or 2.3%. Within this industry, retail trade was up 2,500 jobs, or 2.6%; wholesale trade was up 400 jobs, or 1.9%; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities was up 500 jobs, or 1.6%. Private education and health services reported a gain of 2,400 jobs, or 1.6%. Within the industry, all gains were in health care and social assistance, which was up 2,500 jobs, or 1.9%. Private educational services was down 100 jobs, or 0.4%. Financial activities was up 100 jobs, or 0.3%. Leisure and hospitality was up 100 jobs, or 0.1%.
Professional and business services was down 2,300 jobs, or 1.9%. Information was down 800 jobs, or 8.1%. Miscellaneous other services was down 400 jobs, or 1.4%.
Within the public sector, employment in local government was up 4,700 jobs, or 4.6%. Within local government employment, most gains were in local government education, which was up 3,200 jobs, or 6.4%. Local government excluding education was up 1,500 jobs, or 2.8 %. State government employment was up 1,400 jobs, or 2.5%. Within state government, most gains were in state government excluding education, which was up 1,000 jobs, or 2.9 %. State government education was up 400 jobs, or 1.9%. Federal government was down 2,000 jobs, or 6.9%, from its employment level in August 2025.
Further analysis will be provided in the Labor Market Review scheduled for release on Sept. 25.
