The U.S. portion of the Greater El Paso Region (El Paso County, Texas; Otero County, NM and Dona Ana County, NM) has a labor force of 449,467. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the regional labor force grew by 8.9% between 2000 and 2007 (the latest seven-year period for which data is available) and the nation grew by 1.3%.

Current labor force participation in the region (60.3%) and each of its counties is lower than the averages for New Mexico (63.2%), Texas (66.6%), and the nation (65.8%). This is an indicator of a larger potential hidden labor supply for companies with the appropriate job opportunities.

[Note: The labor force participation rate is the ratio of an area's civilian labor force (the total of employed and unemployed residents) to the population aged 16 years and over.]

The region has a younger population relative to New Mexico, Texas, and the nation. In 2007, the median age in the Greater El Paso Region was just 31.2 years versus 36.3 years in New Mexico, 33.4 years in Texas, and 36.7 years in the nation. The proportion of residents between the ages of 20 and 34 is projected to increase region-wide by 9.0% between 2004 and 2009, compared to the national average of 3.8%. Some firms prefer to locate operations in areas with a median age that approximates or is below the national norm for optimal access to younger talent.

The Greater El Paso Region offers local companies access to a trainable, growing workforce with the skills needed for diversified office and industrial operations, at a wage lower than many other urbanized areas. Average industry earnings in the Greater El Paso Region are below New Mexico, Texas, and national averages.

The region's overall earnings ($22,982) are 84.3% of the New Mexico average ($27,264), 66% of the Texas average ($34,759), and 65.5% of the national average ($35,081).

Hidden Labor Reserve

Based on the region's demographic profile and a 2004 workforce survey of working-age residents, the region has a potential hidden labor supply of approximately 94,990 residents. This hidden labor supply consists of 67,470 underemployed residents, 18,320 residents not currently employed but interested in work, and 9,200 recent college graduates.

Residents that consider themselves underemployed are generally well educated. Nearly 98% have at least a high school diploma, while 69% have a high school diploma and some post-secondary training. Bachelors degrees were achieved by 29%, and of these, 9% have completed post-graduate studies and/or graduate/professional degrees.

The region's military bases also provide a labor supply resource. There is an average of 1,933 military personnel exiting Fort Bliss each year, and typically, between 10% and 15% remain in the area after leaving the military. The skill sets of the exiting military include electronic and maintenance technicians, logistics support, and medical personnel.

A comprehensive labor force analysis of the El Paso region was conducted in 2005 by the Wadley-Donovan Consulting Group.  If your company falls within our targeted industry clusters please contact our Director of Research as portions of the study can be made available to you for evaluation of our region's assets.