2025 economic impact report: Lab major economic driver in NM

Los Alamos National Laboratory released its annual Economic Impact Report detailing spending during fiscal year 2025, which ended Sept. 30. With an annual budget of $5.28 billion, the Laboratory is a major economic driver in the state.

“For more than 80 years, Los Alamos National Laboratory has played a critical role in New Mexico’s economy and its communities,” Laboratory Director Thom Mason said. “We feel strongly that it is our responsibility as a significant employer in New Mexico to support the places where we live and work.”

Statistics from the report include employee salaries by county, small-business assistance figures, procurement dollars, labor union membership and more.

Three key takeaways in the report are: 

1. Los Alamos National Laboratory is one of the largest employers in the state and a major economic driver in the region.
2. In FY 2025, the Lab employed 16,487 workers, who earned $2.04 billion in salaries.
3. The Laboratory spent $752.5 million with New Mexico businesses and paid $141 million in New Mexico gross receipts tax.

Employee salaries reach $2 billion, stimulate the regional economy

While the number of regular Laboratory employees reached 16,487 in FY25, the Lab also employed 1,378 contractors, bringing the total to 17,925. Of the 16,487 regular employees, 29.1% have at least one degree from a New Mexico college or university and 40.2% are native New Mexicans. 

More than 65% of our employees live outside of Los Alamos County, benefiting their home communities. 

Employee salaries by county: 

• Los Alamos: $819 million
• Santa Fe: $515 million
• Rio Arriba: $231 million
• Bernalillo: $133 million
• Sandoval: $92 million
• Taos: $28 million
• Other: $35 million 

Free scientific expertise helps budget-strapped businesses expand

In addition to contracting, the Laboratory supports business growth through mentorship and technology sharing. In FY25, Laboratory-supported programs including New Mexico Small Business Assistance

• conducted 326 projects with New Mexico small businesses,
• attracted $34.2 million in new financing,
• created or retained 644 non-Laboratory jobs with salaries totaling $9.4 million.

Additional business-development programs include TRGR, New Mexico LEEP and the Feynman Center for Innovation.

• The Technology Readiness Gross Receipts tax initiative bridges the tech-transfer gap by offering qualified New Mexico companies $150,000 in free technical assistance via Los Alamos or Sandia national laboratories. Visit TRGR.
• New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, or New Mexico LEEP, is a two-year fellowship matching deep-tech entrepreneurs with scientific mentorship and technical resources at the Laboratory. Visit New Mexico LEEP.
• The Laboratory’s Richard P. Feynman Center for Innovation is a gateway to connect businesses with Lab innovators, access technical expertise or explore ways to partner with Los Alamos National Laboratory. Visit Feynman Center. 

Triad National Security, the management and operating contractor for Los Alamos National Lab, also supports small business as part of the $3.1 million Community Commitment Plan, which includes support of the Regional Development Corporation in providing workforce training and business expansion programs to communities and Native American pueblos in Northern New Mexico.