RESOURCE LINKS:
New Mexico Workforce Connection
http://www.jobs.state.nm.us
New Mexico State Personnel Office
http://www.spo.state.nm.us
New Mexico State Police Training
http://www.nmsp.com/recruiting.shtml
Taos County Chamber of Commerce Job Posting
http://chambermaster.taoschamber.org/jobs/
Taos Ski Valley
Jobs | Taos Ski Valley (skitaos.com)
The Albuquerque Journal
http://www.abqjournal.com/
The Taos News
http://www.mytaosjobs.com
United States Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov/
United States Office of Personnel Management
http://www.usajobs.com
Workforce Solutions
http://www.dws.state.nm.us
NM Workforce - New Mexico EDD
TAOS COUNY, NM - Census Bureau Profiles Results
Publications/Reports - New Mexico EDD
County Economic Summaries & Data Profiles New Mexico County Map - New Mexico EDD
January 2026 Economic Summary - Taos.docx
Major Employers in Taos County (50+ Employees)
Education (Largest Sector)
Schools and education institutions represent one of the largest employment sectors in the county.
Key employers include:
-
Taos Municipal School District
-
Taos High School
-
Taos Middle School
-
Taos Elementary School
-
Ranchos Elementary School
-
Mesa Vista Middle High School
-
Questa School
-
Peñasco High School
-
Ojo Caliente Elementary School
-
University of New Mexico–Taos
Estimated employee ranges:
Economic insight:
Education is one of the largest public-sector employers in Taos County, supporting hundreds of jobs.
Government & Public Administration
Major public employers include:
Employee range:
Public sector employment is a major economic driver in rural counties like Taos.
Healthcare & Social Services
Key healthcare-related employers:
-
Holy Cross Hospital Diabetes Clinic
-
Teambuilders Behavioral Health
-
Vista Linda Rehabilitation
-
Taos Living Center (nursing care)
Employee ranges:
Economic insight:
Healthcare and social services are one of the fastest-growing sectors in New Mexico and a stable source of employment locally.
Tourism, Hospitality & Recreation
Tourism remains one of the most important private-sector industries in Taos County.
Major employers include:
Employee ranges:
Economic insight:
Tourism and recreation drive lodging, restaurant, and seasonal employment across Taos County and surrounding communities.
Retail & Consumer Services
Large retail employers include:
Employee ranges:
Retail is a major consumer employment sector serving residents and visitors.
Finance & Construction
Other notable employers include:
Employee ranges:
These businesses contribute to financial services and infrastructure development in the region.
Snapshot of Taos County Major Employer Sectors
Approximate distribution from the dataset:
| Sector |
Examples |
Employment Range |
| Education |
Schools, UNM–Taos |
50–499 |
| Government |
County, Pueblo, Town |
100–249 |
| Healthcare |
Clinics, nursing facilities |
50–249 |
| Tourism & Hospitality |
Hotels, casino, restaurants, ski resorts |
50–249 |
| Retail |
Walmart, grocery stores, hardware |
50–249 |
| Finance & Construction |
Bank, contractors |
50–99 |
Key Takeaways for Economic Development Reports
For reporting to Taos County Economic Development (TCED):
• Education and government are major stable employers
• Tourism and hospitality are key private-sector drivers
• Retail supports both local residents and visitor economy
• Healthcare is a growing employment sector statewide
Based on the 2023 Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data shared for Taos County, the county’s economy shows a strong concentration in tourism, service industries, health care, retail, and public sector employment. Below is a clear economic indicator summary for 2025–2026 planning reports (useful for the Taos County Chamber of Commerce and community partners).
Taos County, NM Economic Indicators (2025–2026)
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)
Overall Economy
-
Total Businesses (Establishments): 1,435
-
Total Average Employment: 10,870 jobs
This confirms that Taos County is a small but diversified rural economy, with employment concentrated in tourism, healthcare, retail, education, and government services.
Largest Employment Sectors
1. Accommodation & Food Services (Tourism)
-
Businesses: 153
-
Jobs: 1,989
Key components:
Indicator:
Tourism remains the largest private sector employer and a major driver of the visitor economy.
2. Health Care & Social Assistance
-
Businesses: 185
-
Jobs: 1,883
Breakdown:
Indicator:
Healthcare is the second largest employment sector, reflecting both regional healthcare needs and aging population trends.
3. Retail Trade
-
Businesses: 190
-
Jobs: 1,542
Major retail categories:
-
Food & beverage stores: 501 jobs
-
General merchandise: 223 jobs
-
Specialty retail: 334 jobs
Indicator:
Retail supports both local residents and tourism spending.
4. Education
Indicator:
Education employment includes schools and training institutions that support workforce development.
5. Public Administration
Includes:
Indicator:
Government remains a major stable employer in rural economies.
6. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Breakdown:
Indicator:
This reflects Taos’ identity as an arts, culture, and outdoor recreation destination.
Other Key Economic Sectors
| Industry |
Businesses |
Jobs |
| Construction |
148 |
668 |
| Professional & Technical Services |
149 |
285 |
| Administrative & Support Services |
75 |
360 |
| Real Estate & Rental |
73 |
217 |
| Finance & Insurance |
49 |
195 |
| Information & Media |
47 |
114 |
| Manufacturing |
32 |
153 |
| Transportation & Warehousing |
31 |
114 |
Small Business Economy
Taos County has a high percentage of small businesses.
Indicators:
-
Most sectors consist of micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
-
Strong presence of entrepreneurs, artisans, and independent service providers.
This aligns with the Chamber’s role in business support, networking, and economic development.
Tourism & Visitor Economy Indicators
Tourism-related industries include:
| Tourism Industry |
Jobs |
| Accommodation & Food Services |
1,989 |
| Arts, Entertainment & Recreation |
925 |
| Retail Trade |
1,542 |
Total tourism-related employment:
~4,400 jobs (approx.)
This means roughly 40% of the county workforce is tied to the visitor economy.
Key Economic Insights for 2025–2026
1. Tourism remains the primary economic driver
Events, outdoor recreation, arts, and hospitality support thousands of jobs.
2. Healthcare is rapidly becoming a major employment sector
Growth reflects regional healthcare demand and service expansion.
3. Small businesses dominate the economy
Many industries consist of small firms and self-employed entrepreneurs.
4. Construction and housing development remain active
Driven by population shifts and housing demand.
5. Arts, culture, and recreation are major economic assets
These industries are key to both tourism and quality of life.
Why This Data Matters for Community Programs
For organizations like the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, these indicators support:
-
Economic development planning
-
Tourism promotion initiatives
-
Workforce development
-
Small business support programs
-
Community events like Taos Plaza Live
Small Business Economy
Taos County has a high percentage of small businesses.
Indicators:
-
Most sectors consist of micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
-
Strong presence of entrepreneurs, artisans, and independent service providers.
This aligns with the Chamber’s role in business support, networking, and economic development.
Tourism & Visitor Economy Indicators
Tourism-related industries include:
| Tourism Industry |
Jobs |
| Accommodation & Food Services |
1,989 |
| Arts, Entertainment & Recreation |
925 |
| Retail Trade |
1,542 |
Total tourism-related employment:
~4,400 jobs (approx.)
This means roughly 40% of the county workforce is tied to the visitor economy.
Key Economic Insights for 2025–2026
1. Tourism remains the primary economic driver
Events, outdoor recreation, arts, and hospitality support thousands of jobs.
2. Healthcare is rapidly becoming a major employment sector
Growth reflects regional healthcare demand and service expansion.
3. Small businesses dominate the economy
Many industries consist of small firms and self-employed entrepreneurs.
4. Construction and housing development remain active
Driven by population shifts and housing demand.
5. Arts, culture, and recreation are major economic assets
These industries are key to both tourism and quality of life.
Why This Data Matters for Community Programs
For organizations like the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, these indicators support:
-
Economic development planning
-
Tourism promotion initiatives
-
Workforce development
-
Small business support programs
-
Community events like Taos Plaza Live
Visitor Economy Impact Summary
Taos County, New Mexico
Tourism and the visitor economy are among the most significant drivers of economic activity in Taos County. Visitor spending supports local businesses, creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and helps sustain community services and cultural assets.
Regional Tourism Impact
Across New Mexico, tourism continues to reach record levels.
-
$8.8 billion in direct visitor spending statewide (2024)
-
$12 billion total economic impact including indirect effects
-
42.6 million visitors traveled to New Mexico in 2024
-
95,000+ jobs supported by tourism statewide
-
$839 million generated in state and local taxes
Visitor spending benefits multiple sectors including:
-
Lodging
-
Restaurants and food services
-
Retail shopping
-
Arts, recreation, and cultural attractions
Taos County Visitor Economy
Tourism is one of the largest economic engines in Taos County.
Key tourism-related sectors include:
| Industry |
Jobs |
| Accommodation & Food Services |
1,989 |
| Arts, Entertainment & Recreation |
925 |
| Retail Trade |
1,542 |
These industries together support over 4,400 jobs, representing a large share of the county workforce.
Local Economic Impact
Tourism plays a major role in the local economy of Taos.
Key indicators:
-
~2,600 tourism-related jobs in the Town of Taos alone
-
Tourism employment represents about 28.5% of the local workforce
-
Tourism generates over $80 million in labor income annually
-
Visitor activity produces over $22 million in state and local tax revenue for public services and infrastructure
Visitor spending in the Town of Taos grew from:
Community & Small Business Impact
Tourism directly supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Studies show:
Visitor spending supports:
Tourism’s Role in Rural Economic Development
Tourism provides several key benefits for rural communities like Taos:
Economic diversification
Job creation
Public revenue
Cultural preservation
Strategic Importance for Taos
Tourism strengthens the local economy through:
-
Festivals and community events
-
Outdoor recreation and skiing
-
Arts and cultural tourism
-
Local restaurants and hospitality businesses
-
Heritage and historic sites
Community events and programming—such as concerts, cultural festivals, and downtown activations—help attract visitors, increase overnight stays, and support local businesses.
