New Mexico minimum wage
Minimum wage in New Mexico, in effect since January 1, 2023
$12.00 an hour
That is $4.75 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in New Mexico pay the higher state rate.
Next increase: none announced as of October 8, 2026. No automatic indexing; the rate is set in statute.
Tipped employees
Employers in New Mexico can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $3.00 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $9.00, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $12.00 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference. An employee counts as tipped if they get more than $30 a month in tips.
Youth and training wages
Secondary school students working after school hours or when school is not in session: at least $8.50.
How future increases are set
No automatic indexing; the rate is set in statute.
Exceptions and details
- NM DWS pages (dws.nm.gov) block automated and browser access (HTTP 403), so the enacted statute and DOL tables are the sources.
- Tips plus the cash wage must equal at least the minimum wage.
- Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe and other local rates are handled separately.
Cities and counties with a higher minimum wage
These places in New Mexico set their own minimum wage. Employers there pay the local rate.
| Place | Minimum wage | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $12.00 | — |
| Santa Fe | $15.40 | $17.50 on January 1, 2027 |
| Santa Fe County (unincorporated) | $15.40 | — |
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in New Mexico?
- $12.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2023.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in New Mexico?
- $3.00 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $12.00 an hour.
- When does the New Mexico minimum wage go up?
- No increase had been announced as of October 8, 2026.
- Do any cities or counties in New Mexico have a higher minimum wage?
- Yes: Albuquerque ($12.00), Santa Fe ($15.40), Santa Fe County (unincorporated) ($15.40).
Running payroll in New Mexico?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 8, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- New Mexico Legislature (SB 437, 2019, amending the Minimum Wage Act, NMSA 50-4-22); enforced by NM Department of Workforce Solutions · data as of January 1, 2023 · last checked October 8, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.