NEW MEXICO’S MOONSHOT OF INVESTMENTS

Growing the Economy

This is what good government looks like

Energy production, government research at national labs, and international trade creates strong economic growth in New Mexico, according to the Dallas Fed. The state’s moonshot investments in families, education, and the tech sector aim to overcome persistent poverty, an undereducated labor force, and a lack of economic diversification.

Growth in employment in New Mexico in the last several years outpaced national averages in healthcare, education, government, and manufacturing. The state ranked sixth in the nation for year-over-year growth in manufacturing from August 2024 to August 2025.

The tech sector

There are nearly 3,700 tech-related businesses in New Mexico, contributing $5.7 billion to the state’s economy.

With a current tech labor force of more than 97,000 workers, New Mexico is expected to increase high tech employment by 2.4% in 2026. A tech worker can expect to earn more than $95,000, well above the average salary in New Mexico. That should encourage people to enter the machining, engineering, and other training programs needed to keep the sector growing.

“There’s more entrepreneurial activity in New Mexico. This is the best it’s ever been,” said CEO and Solstar Space Co. founder Brian Barnett after reviewing New Mexico’s State of the Tech Workforce 2026 report.

New Mexico is #1 in the nation for federal research investment through Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. But the state also vigorously funds innovative breakthroughs and marketing. The Innovation Hub initiative will provide millions of dollars for infrastructure and equipment. Starting in 2025, the newly established state Office of Technology is investing $1.8 billion in the high-growth areas of aerospace, advanced computing (which includes quantum, AI, and cyber security), clean energy, water, and biosciences.

Results of NM's investment in tech

A new "quantum hub" in downtown Albuquerque
X-Bow Systems and other firms expanding in solid rocket motor manufacturing and defense technologies
Intel, Jabil, and others expanding manufacturing facilities in computer and electronic exports
Investment in solar, clean tech, and advanced energy startups
Fusion Research and Manufacturing campus at Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque
The only inland spaceport on the globe: Spaceport America

Wages

The median wage in New Mexico reached a record high for the state in February 2026, rising 5% from the same point in 2025.

Manufacturing plays a crucial role in New Mexico’s growing economy and workforce. When national manufacturing employment fell by 0.6%, New Mexico recorded a 1.4% increase.

Wage growth in New Mexico’s manufacturing jobs was almost 3% higher than the national average.

An inclusive economy

More than one out of four businesses in New Mexico are minority-owned, making the state eighth in the nation according to a 2024 study. A high concentration of construction firms are Hispanic-owned. The state is recognized as a leader in fostering diverse entrepreneurship, particularly in the Albuquerque area.

About 22% of all businesses in the state are women or majority-women owned; together they employ over 57,000 workers. Almost half of the top executive positions in the state are held by women, according to the American Community Survey.