Statutory minimum wage in New Mexico (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: New Mexico has a state minimum wage of $12.00 per hour, in effect since 1 January 2023. Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Las Cruces, Santa Fe and Santa Fe County have their own ordinances, and the state enforces the highest available rate.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $12.00 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $3.00 per hour cash wage for tipped employees (since 1 January 2023). [1] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Yes. Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Las Cruces, the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County have their own minimum or living wage ordinances; the highest applicable rate is enforced. [1] |
Notes
- The Department page lists $3.00 per hour for tipped employees. It says certain cities and counties enforce their own minimum wage, and the state enforces the highest available rate. Read from an Internet Archive snapshot because the live site refused connections.
- The Minimum Wage Act (PDF) was not read.
- No scheduled change was found in the sources read.
Sources
- New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions: Minimum Wage Information (Internet Archive snapshot of 15 June 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
New Mexico and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | Yes | $12.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arizona | Yes | $15.15 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | 1 January 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Colorado | Yes | $15.16 per hour (2026) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour (larger employers) | No age bands; $2.00 per hour for small employers | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Texas | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | Exempts some under-18s and under-20 students | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in New Mexico
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 12 plants, 6 mature
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 75 mph (55 mph unposted county roads)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 15½ (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (instruction permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks incl. aerial) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed deadly weapon barred; knives not named · Locking or one-handed knives: Auto-opening knives barred
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08%
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.