New Mexico's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in New Mexico is $12.00 an hour, $4.75 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $24,960 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $21,712 a year, or $835.08 every two weeks.
What the New Mexico minimum wage pays
| At $12.00 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $12.00 |
| Per 8-hour day | $96.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $480.00 |
| Every two weeks | $960.00 |
| Per month | $2,080.00 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $24,960.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $835.08 |
| Take-home per year | $21,712.08 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and New Mexico income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $12,480 a year and about $11,459 after taxes.
New Mexico minimum wage rules
Local minimum wages. New Mexico's rate is a floor: it is higher in some cities and counties. Where a city or county sets a higher rate, employers there must pay the higher one.
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | New Mexico's statewide minimum wage is $12.00 an hour, in place since January 1, 2023. Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Las Cruces, the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County set their own, and the highest applicable rate applies. | NM Department of Workforce Solutions, Minimum wage increase news release |
| Tipped employees | If you earn tips, your employer can pay a cash wage of $3.00 an hour, as long as your wages plus tips reach the full minimum wage. | NM Department of Workforce Solutions, Minimum wage increase news release |
| Overtime | New Mexico requires time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek, the same threshold as federal law. There is no daily overtime rule. | US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws |
How New Mexico's minimum wage compares
New Mexico has the 24th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC, tied with Nevada.
The typical (median) worker in New Mexico earns $22.70 an hour, so the minimum wage is 53% of the median wage. 10% of New Mexico workers earn less than $13.83 an hour and 25% less than $16.95 (BLS, May 2025, all 870,970 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in New Mexico, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $13.50 | 1,050 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $13.69 | 2,670 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $13.71 | 38,910 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $13.80 | 28,250 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $14.02 | 1,700 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $14.09 | 2,940 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $24,960 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | $142 |
| 1 child | $4,256 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $7,091 | $7,316 |
| 3 children or more | $8,006 | $8,231 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $24,960 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $624 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,248. Source
New Mexico minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in New Mexico?
$12.00 an hour.
How much is the New Mexico minimum wage a year?
$24,960 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,080 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $21,712.
How much is the New Mexico minimum wage after taxes?
About $835.08 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and New Mexico taxes.
Is New Mexico's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the New Mexico minimum wage?
$18.00 an hour for overtime hours.
Do cities in New Mexico have a higher minimum wage?
Yes: the minimum is higher in some cities and counties. Employers must pay whichever rate is higher.
States with a similar minimum wage
Michigan minimum wage ($13.73) · Virginia minimum wage ($12.77) · Nevada minimum wage ($12.00) · South Dakota minimum wage ($11.85) · Minnesota minimum wage ($11.41) · Arkansas minimum wage ($11.00) · Ohio minimum wage ($11.00) · Montana minimum wage ($10.85)
Related
New Mexico paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $12.00
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.