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HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in New Mexico

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$12.00

What is the minimum wage in New Mexico?

The minimum wage in New Mexico is $12.00 per hour for all employees, effective January 1, 2023. This is the result of a law signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019 that gradually increased the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2023.

There are a few exemptions to the New Mexico minimum wage law. Tipped workers are paid a lower minimum wage of $3.00 per hour, but they must also receive tips that bring their hourly earnings up to the minimum wage. Employees under the age of 18 are also paid a lower minimum wage of $10.50 per hour, but only if they are working in their first 90 days of employment.

The New Mexico minimum wage is an important issue for many people across the state. It is a matter of fairness, economic security, and quality of life. The debate over the minimum wage is likely to continue in New Mexico.

Here are some additional facts about the minimum wage in New Mexico:

  • The minimum wage was first established in New Mexico in 1968.
  • The minimum wage has been increased 17 times since it was first established.
  • The minimum wage is indexed to inflation, so it automatically increases each year with the cost of living.
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$27.65

What is the average wage in New Mexico?

In 2023, the average wage in New Mexico was $27.65 per hour, or $57,520 per year. This is higher than the minimum wage of $9.00 per hour, but still below the national average wage of $21.89 per hour, or $45,531 per year.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the cost of living in New Mexico is relatively low when compared to other states. For example, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Albuquerque is $763 per month, which is lower than the national average of $1,191.

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$29.87

What is the living wage in New Mexico?

Wages aren’t everything!

While pay is one of the main factors that hourly employees consider when choosing to join (or stay at) a company, it’s not the end all be all. Research shows that advancement opportunities, supportive management, and schedule flexibility are all incredibly important as well.

Want to learn more about this trend? We dive deep into the data behind which perks and benefits matter most to hourly workers. Check out our full conversation with expert Sara Wasserteil of Cara Collective.

A guide to hourly labor laws in New Mexico

Verified by Legal Counsel Brooke Davis

  • Standard Minimum Wage: $12 (NM DWS) (N.M. Stat. § 50-4-22).
  • Tipped Minimum Wage: $3, totaling at least minimum wage with tips (NM DWS) (N.M. Stat. § 50-4-22).
  • Overtime: Hours exceeding 40 in a fixed week are overtime, paid at 1.5 times the regular rate (29 US Code § 207) (DoL).
  • Meal Breaks: No state or federal law requiring meal breaks. Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bonafide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19) (DoL).
  • Rest Breaks: No state or federal law requires rest breaks. Breaks lasting 5–20 minutes must be paid (29 C.F.R. § 785.18).
  • Wage Deductions: Only those required by law, such as taxes, and those authorized by the employee in writing. Third-party deductions benefitting the employer may not reduce wages below the applicable minimum (N.M. Stat. § 50-4-2) (29 C.F.R. § 4.168) (29 US Code § 203).
  • Final Paychecks: By the next applicable payday after termination or resignation (N.M. Stat. § 50-4-5).
  • Wage Payment Frequency: Semi-monthly with regular paydays (N.M. Stat. Ann. § 50-4-2).
  • Paid Sick Leave: Employees accrue at least one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 64 hours per year (N.M. Stat. § 50-17-3).
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave: No paid leave laws. Up to 12 unpaid weeks in one year for eligible employees (FMLA).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children Under 16:
    • School session: No working during school hours; up to three hours per day and 18 hours per week.
    • Non-school session: Up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week.
    • Working hours: Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extended until 9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day (NM DWS) (N.M. Stat. § 50-6-3) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children 16 and 17: No state/federal law restricting work hours beyond required school hours for non-hazardous occupations. (NM DWS) (N.M. Stat. § 50-6-3) (DoL) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area.

Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
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A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.

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