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LABOR FORCE - a younger more robust workforce
The U.S. portion of the Greater El Paso region (El Paso County, Texas; Otero County, N.M.; and Doña Ana County, N.M.) as of December 2011 had a labor force totalling 444,931.
Labor force participation* in El Paso (54%) was lower than the averages for Texas (64%), New Mexico (62%) and the nation (63%). This could be an indication of a potential hidden labor supply. The region has a younger population relative to Texas, New Mexico and the nation. In 2011, according to SitesonTexas.com, the median age in the Greater El Paso region was just 31.1 years, versus 33.5 years in Texas, 35.8 years in New Mexico, and 36.9 years in the nation. 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 growing, trainable workforce with the skills needed for diversified office and industrial operations. Average industry earnings in the Greater El Paso region are below New Mexico, Texas and national averages. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis in 2010 the region’s per capita income was $29,381, which translated into 76 percent of Texas income ($38,609), 88 percent of New Mexico’s ($33,267), and 74 percent of the nation’s ($39,635).
*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 age 16 years and over.
Sources: Unemployment - (LAUS) for El Paso MSA, Texas, and U.S.: not seasonally adjusted (December 2011). Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information: Tracer2.com. Per Capita Income - (2010) Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Updated: February 2012.
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Labor Force, Employment & Unemployment Rate |
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El Paso MSA |
Texas |
U.S. |
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Labor Force |
Employment |
Unemployment |
Unemployment Rate |
Unemployment Rate |
Unemployment Rate |
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March 2012 |
328,204 |
297,302 |
30,902 |
9.4% |
7.0% |
8.4% |
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February 2012 |
327,816 |
296,345 |
31,741 |
9.6% |
7.2% |
8.7% |
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March 2011 |
326,103 |
292,909 |
33,194 |
10.2% |
7.9% |
9.2% |
|
Source: Unemployment (LAUS) for El Paso MSA, Texas, and U.S.: not seasonally adjusted (February 2012). Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information: Tracer2.com. Updated: April 2012. |
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Establishments, Employment & Wages by Private Industry Sector in El Paso MSA, 2nd Quarter 2011 |
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Industry |
Establishments |
Employment |
Avg. Weekly Wage |
Avg. Yearly Wage* |
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Natural Resource and Mining |
120 |
1,318 |
$459 |
$23,868 |
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Construction |
1,249 |
13,445 |
$621 |
$32,292 |
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Manufacturing |
609 |
17,523 |
$811 |
$42,172 |
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Trade, Transportation & Utilities |
3,811 |
55,727 |
$587 |
$30,524 |
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Information |
175 |
4,839 |
$776 |
$40,352 |
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Financial Activities |
1,405 |
11,900 |
$735 |
$38,220 |
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Professional & Business Services |
1,959 |
30,015 |
$559 |
$29,068 |
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Education & Health Services |
1,476 |
35,610 |
$644 |
$33,488 |
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Leisure & Hospitality |
1,404 |
29,770 |
$265 |
$13,780 |
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Other Services |
1,253 |
6,480 |
$410 |
$21,320 |
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*Avg. Yearly Wage is calculated by multiplying the Avg. Weekly Wage by 52 weeks in a year. Source: Quarterly Employment and Wages (2nd Qtr , 2011) for El Paso MSA.Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information: Tracer2.com. Updated: February 2012. |
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LABOR FORCE STUDY
In 2005, WDG Consulting conducted a comprehensive labor force analysis of the El Paso region, “Labor Market Assessment for the Greater El Paso Region.”
Based on the region’s demographic profile, and a 2004 workforce survey of working-age residents, the study found that the region had a potential hidden labor supply of approximately 94,990 residents. This hidden labor supply consisted of …
- 67,470 underemployed residents
- 18,320 residents not currently employed but interested in work
- 9,200 recent college graduates
Residents who considered themselves underemployed were generally well educated.
- Nearly 98 percent had a high school diploma
- 69 percent had a high school diploma and some post-secondary training
- 29 percent had bachelor’s degrees
- 9 percent had completed post-graduate studies and/or graduate/professional degrees
The region’s military bases also provided a labor supply resource. There was an average of 1,933 military personnel exiting Fort Bliss each year, and typically, between 10 percent and 15 percent remained in the area after leaving the military. The skill sets of the exiting military included those of electronic and maintenance technicians, logistics support and medical personnel.
Source: Greater El Paso Region Labor Market Assessment: May 2005. WDG Consulting.
