City Town Info

Las Cruces Employment

Employment and Industries in the Las Cruces, New Mexico Area

The economy in Las Cruces, New Mexico is based on agriculture, education, commerce and defense/aerospace. The government is the primary source of employment in the area due to White Sands Missile Range and New Mexico State University. The White Sands Missile Range is the Army's largest installation. Other government agencies, private industries, foreign militaries and universities also conduct research at the facility.

The North American Free Trade Agreement and the opening of a nearby border crossing has attracted numerous companies to the region that want to work with factories in nearby Mexico. The region also includes a group of industrial and research parks.

Agricultural products which contribute to the local economy include peppers, onions, cotton and a variety of vegetables and dairy products. The region is also one of the world's largest pecan producers.

On-site and classroom job training are provided via the State of New Mexico Industrial Development Training program. The program provides companies with customized training and allows the employers to choose training candidates. The program is not just for economically disadvantaged people.

Facts about Las Cruces, New Mexico: The average salary in Las Cruces in 2009 was $25,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was 87.6. The national average is 100. In Las Cruces 28% of the residents 25 years of age and older have earned a bachelor's degree or better.

The region's significant employers:

  • New Mexico State University
  • White Sands Missile Range
  • Las Cruces Public Schools
  • NASA
  • Memorial Medical Center
  • City of Las Cruces
  • Allied Signal Aerospace
  • Walmart
  • Excel Agent Services
  • Dona Ana Branch Community College
  • Mountain View Regional Medical Center
  • Dana Ana County
  • Honeywell Technology
  • NM Corrections Department
  • Tyson Prepared Foods
  • NMSU Physical Science Lab
  • Wells Fargo

The top non-agricultural employment segments in the city are:

  • Government
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Leisure and hospitality

Local companies can obtain assistance from useful associations such as:

People can stay current with local business and industry news by reading the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Most Popular Jobs in Las Cruces, New Mexico Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Elementary school teachers, except special education1,21057,210$37,700 - 83,08014%95%
2Registered nurses1,10060,270$44,260 - 84,27024%56%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education78059,540$37,020 - 83,6406%96%
4Accountants and auditors39046,170$30,570 - 65,54018%79%
5Child, family, and school social workers39036,580$18,090 - 68,15019%77%
6Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products31037,320$17,310 - 60,8608%51%
7Electronics engineers, except computer30082,380$55,540 - 103,3004%81%
8Managers, all other29056,290$35,700 - 82,3607%55%
9Education administrators, elementary and secondary school22076,230$54,130 - 98,0308%78%
10Lawyers20059,170$34,520 - 101,62011%99%
11Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists19046,200$28,710 - 76,77016%99%
12Computer software engineers, applications18074,890$53,080 - 101,85045%85%
13Special education teachers, secondary school15053,800$37,190 - 77,2709%87%
14Physical therapists14051,610$23,780 - 81,69027%89%
15Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation13048,870$25,430 - 71,6905%58%
16Educational, vocational, and school counselors13069,450$51,660 - 95,15013%73%
17Financial managers12076,500$44,870 - 126,97013%60%
18Computer software engineers, systems software12086,560$45,920 - 119,55028%85%
19Civil engineers12062,830$30,670 - 92,35018%87%
20Social and community service managers11045,650$33,430 - 60,79025%72%
21Social and human service assistants11026,820$15,620 - 39,34034%58%
22Pharmacists110100,380$88,140 - 121,23022%97%
23Electrical engineers11068,480$49,030 - 100,5006%81%
24Speech-language pathologists11070,220$52,520 - 101,16011%98%
25Community and social service specialists, all other10029,270$18,850 - 38,79025%58%
26Operations research analysts10090,150$54,360 - 124,32011%71%
27Sales managers10070,460$28,130 - 134,36010%69%
28Computer specialists, all other10065,570$48,790 - 86,26015%68%
29Medical and public health social workers9038,830$24,840 - 63,09024%77%
30Management analysts8066,000$44,570 - 92,52022%78%
31Advertising sales agents8027,260$16,610 - 59,44020%56%
32Dentists, general80132,380$80,170 - 9%100%
33Coaches and scouts80 $ - 15%60%
34Mechanical engineers8077,370$54,930 - 102,0404%78%
35Librarians7049,220$24,910 - 73,8604%85%
36Computer hardware engineers70 $ - 5%70%
37Network and computer systems administrators7066,610$44,570 - 97,60027%50%
38Database administrators7054,560$35,190 - 95,51029%72%
39Graphic designers7028,180$18,500 - 44,26010%55%
40Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products7067,310$48,040 - 86,29012%51%
41Medical and health services managers7098,160$40,850 - 16%57%
42Occupational therapists6064,950$45,200 - 94,81023%90%
43Instructional coordinators6069,600$44,520 - 97,24023%79%
44Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other60 $ - 15%72%
45Dietitians and nutritionists5034,080$18,650 - 74,1909%72%
46Veterinarians5081,990$37,360 - 109,60035%100%
47Physicists5097,520$70,260 - 144,6507%95%
48Medical and clinical laboratory technicians5028,780$21,900 - 37,31015%51%
49Environmental scientists and specialists, including health4048,680$35,360 - 64,16025%93%
50Natural sciences managers4086,490$61,350 - 126,16011%93%
51Aerospace engineers4085,860$64,190 - 118,21010%87%
52Medical and clinical laboratory technologists4053,240$45,050 - 64,41012%51%
53Training and development specialists4033,190$25,110 - 48,64018%56%
54Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists4038,850$28,770 - 50,00018%56%
55Engineering managers4092,070$56,830 - 156,1907%84%
56Physician assistants4068,610$54,040 - 98,76027%67%
57Environmental engineers3068,480$50,410 - 93,40025%86%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,19021,220$14,470 - 32,00012%25%
2Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,71026,050$16,250 - 38,8001%18%
3Cashiers1,52016,610$13,930 - 21,480-2%10%
4Personal and home care aides1,44018,550$14,820 - 22,90051%10%
5Waiters and waitresses1,40015,310$13,810 - 16,41011%14%
6Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,31019,120$14,460 - 24,92015%4%
7Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,20015,950$13,890 - 19,47018%5%
8Teacher assistants1,14021,650$14,820 - 30,37010%18%
9Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,08025,520$15,410 - 38,25013%16%
10Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse1,03015,600$13,780 - 16,270-2%4%
11Office clerks, general1,00018,900$14,180 - 26,99013%19%
12Security guards97022,710$14,990 - 32,65017%13%
13General and operations managers92070,990$36,000 - 124,0802%48%
14Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand87019,460$14,230 - 28,5102%5%
15Construction laborers85023,280$14,710 - 33,64011%5%
16Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants84020,160$16,720 - 25,37018%7%
17Stock clerks and order fillers82019,460$14,440 - 26,770-7%8%
18First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers75042,850$21,750 - 53,8206%29%
19Receptionists and information clerks67019,580$14,940 - 25,62017%13%
20Landscaping and groundskeeping workers66018,330$14,300 - 23,78018%6%
21Cooks, restaurant65017,730$14,060 - 23,95012%5%
22First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers64032,280$17,550 - 48,8504%25%
23Maintenance and repair workers, general63024,440$15,210 - 33,85010%6%
24Child care workers51015,930$13,900 - 19,33018%15%
25Carpenters48028,660$18,530 - 43,57010%6%
26Maids and housekeeping cleaners47016,170$13,950 - 19,67013%5%
27Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses44038,350$29,570 - 48,36014%7%
28Automotive service technicians and mechanics42029,890$14,550 - 52,70014%4%
29First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers38047,320$26,130 - 65,3309%10%
30Police and sheriff's patrol officers38043,220$33,590 - 53,85011%33%
31First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers38029,050$16,280 - 54,54011%14%
32Customer service representatives37024,060$15,470 - 33,42025%22%
33Medical assistants36024,480$15,110 - 38,26035%10%
34Dishwashers35015,980$13,940 - 19,05010%3%
35Business operations specialists, all other34059,470$27,130 - 90,80021%49%
36Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators34029,650$21,980 - 40,4408%3%
37Truck drivers, light or delivery services34024,710$14,960 - 45,9108%4%
38Cooks, fast food33015,530$13,830 - 18,7108%5%
39Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer32027,110$21,550 - 32,44010%4%
40Food preparation workers31018,580$14,450 - 24,31015%7%
41Electrical and electronic engineering technicians30052,270$16,010 - 80,9404%18%
42Tellers28020,810$16,160 - 29,88014%16%
43Bartenders28015,770$13,880 - 18,42011%17%
44File clerks27023,540$16,510 - 30,880-40%20%
45Electricians26039,500$29,070 - 53,2507%7%
46Administrative services managers26055,630$27,790 - 92,79012%40%
47Computer support specialists25042,650$28,340 - 57,34013%43%
48Cooks, institution and cafeteria25019,470$14,550 - 25,72011%5%
49Business teachers, postsecondary25075,810$55,130 - 103,8300%0%
50Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop23015,170$13,820 - 16,47010%17%
51Cement masons and concrete finishers23027,670$17,490 - 43,22011%2%
52Family and general practitioners230154,340$39,450 - 0%0%
53Counter and rental clerks22020,900$14,020 - 37,48023%16%
54Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers21015,460$13,820 - 16,96012%6%
55Telemarketers19014,900$13,770 - 15,800-9%14%
56Painters, construction and maintenance18022,550$15,400 - 30,22012%6%
57Office and administrative support workers, all other18026,590$14,800 - 40,190-8%32%
58Insurance sales agents18037,660$19,210 - 41,24013%45%
59Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks18022,130$14,600 - 32,0504%6%
60Bill and account collectors17024,680$16,960 - 33,43023%13%
61Emergency medical technicians and paramedics17023,960$16,210 - 40,34019%14%
62Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers17035,110$22,840 - 55,8105%2%
63Bakers16023,040$17,600 - 29,63010%8%
64Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters16021,540$14,440 - 31,68012%3%
65Dental assistants16026,690$18,160 - 39,06029%9%
66Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters16036,150$22,800 - 58,55011%4%
67Medical secretaries16024,230$17,200 - 32,24017%18%
68Nonfarm animal caretakers15020,730$14,340 - 26,27018%16%
69All other information and record clerks15034,760$21,370 - 48,710-12%21%
70First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers15041,090$23,620 - 65,1707%13%
71Billing and posting clerks and machine operators15022,630$15,110 - 32,1504%15%
72Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks14015,980$13,930 - 19,16017%14%
73Data entry keyers14020,020$15,200 - 25,640-4%18%
74Payroll and timekeeping clerks14029,460$17,570 - 38,9203%18%
75Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers13019,710$14,940 - 25,68012%0%
76First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers13038,450$19,510 - 71,890-4%15%
77Executive secretaries and administrative assistants13038,360$26,030 - 53,52015%18%
78Roofers13025,070$17,900 - 31,65014%3%
79Postal service mail carriers130 1%11%
80Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic12026,340$18,780 - 38,110-14%0%
81First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers12032,370$20,840 - 50,13013%11%
82Fire fighters12034,400$26,240 - 49,21012%18%
83Pharmacy aides120 -10%10%
84Recreation workers12026,740$17,890 - 37,30013%47%
85Amusement and recreation attendants12019,860$16,570 - 26,10024%22%
86Loan officers11057,570$28,300 - 98,53012%49%
87Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products11056,240$31,020 - 86,1000%42%
88First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives11069,210$52,850 - 86,9009%33%
89Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists11019,340$15,180 - 24,64012%6%
90Loan interviewers and clerks10025,020$15,230 - 33,5600%24%
91Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other10063,650$31,310 - 88,8402%18%
92Medical records and health information technicians10021,930$14,910 - 30,74018%12%
93Pharmacy technicians10031,270$22,600 - 47,59032%16%
94Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping9032,020$21,730 - 43,83011%29%
95Home health aides9020,340$14,630 - 25,70049%7%
96Parts salespersons9024,010$14,700 - 36,300-1%6%
97Computer operators9039,880$24,050 - 64,510-24%27%
98Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers9054,280$28,890 - 65,7803%13%
99Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators8027,280$22,560 - 32,0209%0%
100Drywall and ceiling tile installers8026,610$21,990 - 32,2407%2%
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Additional Details

Las Cruces CollegesLas Cruces Colleges
Las Cruces colleges and trade schools.
Las Cruces Hotels & TravelLas Cruces Hotels & Travel
Las Cruces hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Las Cruces MortgageLas Cruces Mortgage
Las Cruces property, mortgage, and real estate.

Career Schools in Las Cruces

Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.

(Also see all New Mexico Colleges.)

Computer Career Center
Las Cruces, New Mexico
  • Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Law, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Office And Administration
  • Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Diploma
  • Request Info From The School

Jobs More Common Near Las Cruces Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Business teachers, postsecondary75,81025010.8
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse15,6001,03010.3
Personal and home care aides18,5501,4407.8
Pharmacy aides 1207.4
Family and general practitioners154,3402306
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters21,5401605.6
Electronics engineers, except computer82,3803005.2
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists46,2001904.9
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians52,2703004.3
Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other63,6501004
Operations research analysts90,1501003.7
Child, family, and school social workers36,5803903.7
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives69,2101103.6
File clerks23,5402703.1
Bakers23,0401602.9
Nonfarm animal caretakers20,7301502.8
Special education teachers, secondary school53,8001502.8
Cement masons and concrete finishers27,6702302.8
Roofers25,0701302.7
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school76,2302202.6
Speech-language pathologists70,2201102.5
Administrative services managers55,6302602.5
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics23,9601702.4
Community and social service specialists, all other29,2701002.4
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators29,6503402.4
Teacher assistants21,6501,1402.3
Social and community service managers45,6501102.3
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive26,0501,7102.2
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers19,7101302.2
Elementary school teachers, except special education57,2101,2102.2
Child care workers15,9305102.1
Security guards22,7109702.1
Construction laborers23,2808502.1
Physical therapists51,6101402
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education59,5407802
Cooks, institution and cafeteria19,4702501.9
Managers, all other56,2902901.9
Medical assistants24,4803601.8
Office and administrative support workers, all other26,5901801.8
Cooks, restaurant17,7306501.8
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers18,3306601.7
Payroll and timekeeping clerks29,4601401.7
Electrical engineers68,4801101.7
Painters, construction and maintenance22,5501801.7
All other information and record clerks34,7601501.7
Dishwashers15,9803501.6
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks15,9801401.6
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers47,3203801.6
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers32,3701201.6
Automotive service technicians and mechanics29,8904201.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Las Cruces, New Mexico Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Educational, vocational, and school counselors69,4501.35130
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education59,5401.16780
Elementary school teachers, except special education57,2101.151,210
Recreation workers26,7401.11120
Speech-language pathologists70,2201.09110
Amusement and recreation attendants19,8601.07120
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products56,2401.06110
All other information and record clerks34,7601.05150
Special education teachers, secondary school53,8001.04150
Computer software engineers, systems software86,5601.04120
Business teachers, postsecondary75,8101.03250
Computer support specialists42,6501.02250
Business operations specialists, all other59,4701.01340
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians52,2701300
Nonfarm animal caretakers20,7301150
Electronics engineers, except computer82,3801300
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers35,1101170
File clerks23,5401270
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants38,3600.99130
Registered nurses60,2700.981,100
Loan officers57,5700.97110
Teacher assistants21,6500.971,140
Computer software engineers, applications74,8900.97180
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses38,3500.97440
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation48,8700.97130
Food preparation workers18,5800.97310
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers29,0500.96380
Bakers23,0400.96160
Pharmacists100,3800.96110
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives69,2100.95110
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers42,8500.95750
Social and human service assistants26,8200.95110
Family and general practitioners154,3400.94230
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school76,2300.93220
Personal and home care aides18,5500.931,440
Dishwashers15,9800.93350
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers32,3700.93120
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food15,9500.931,200
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic26,3400.9120
Child, family, and school social workers36,5800.9390
Security guards22,7100.9970
Counter and rental clerks20,9000.9220
Cashiers16,6100.91,520
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive26,0500.891,710
Cooks, fast food15,5300.89330
Police and sheriff's patrol officers43,2200.89380
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers15,4600.89210
Payroll and timekeeping clerks29,4600.88140
Tellers20,8100.88280
Medical assistants24,4800.87360

Highest Paying Jobs in Las Cruces, New Mexico Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Pediatricians, general176,83040
Family and general practitioners154,340230
Dentists, general132,38080
Pharmacists100,380110
Medical and health services managers98,16070
Physicists97,52050
Engineering managers92,07040
Computer and information systems managers91,880 
Operations research analysts90,150100
Computer software engineers, systems software86,560120
Natural sciences managers86,49040
Aerospace engineers85,86040
Electronics engineers, except computer82,380300
Veterinarians81,99050
Mechanical engineers77,37080
Financial managers76,500120
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school76,230220
Business teachers, postsecondary75,810250
Computer software engineers, applications74,890180
General and operations managers70,990920
Network systems and data communications analysts70,980 
Sales managers70,460100
Speech-language pathologists70,220110
Instructional coordinators69,60060
Educational, vocational, and school counselors69,450130
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives69,210110
Physician assistants68,61040
Environmental engineers68,48030
Electrical engineers68,480110
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products67,31070
Network and computer systems administrators66,61070
Computer systems analysts66,110 
Management analysts66,00080
Computer specialists, all other65,570100
Construction managers65,35060
Occupational therapists64,95060
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other64,90040
Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other63,650100
Dental hygienists63,170 
Civil engineers62,830120
Registered nurses60,2701,100
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators60,19040
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education59,540780
Business operations specialists, all other59,470340
Lawyers59,170200
Surveyors58,900 
Loan officers57,570110
Elementary school teachers, except special education57,2101,210
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians56,66050
Managers, all other56,290290

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