"How long does it take to become a cosmetologist in New Mexico?"

"Most paths into the cosmetologist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do cosmetologists need a license in New Mexico?"

"Yes. New Mexico requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the New Mexico Regulation \u0026 Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in New Mexico?"

"In New Mexico, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Cosmetologist in New Mexico

Q: "How much do cosmetologists earn in New Mexico?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in New Mexico earned a median annual wage of approximately $37,750. Employment concentration in New Mexico is roughly 0.72 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in New Mexico?"

"New Mexico currently employs approximately 1,230 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Mexico hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $37,750 ($18.15/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,230 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 5.5% above the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $37,750 ($18.15/hr)
25th percentile: $28,810 per year
75th percentile: $46,240 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $52,560 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $27,190 per year
Workers employed in New Mexico: 1,230
Versus national median: 5.5% above the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.72 - this occupation is less concentrated in New Mexico than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

New Mexico employs approximately 1,230 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,750 ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 75,800 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a cosmetologist in New Mexico, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in New Mexico

How do I become a cosmetologist in New Mexico? New Mexico requires credentials such as Cosmetologist License. The licensing authority is the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in New Mexico? Yes. New Mexico has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New Mexico is $37,750 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,190 and experienced professionals can earn $52,560 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Median wage (New Mexico): $37,750 per year ¹
Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Cosmetologist License Requirements in New Mexico

The New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists oversees cosmetologist licensing in New Mexico ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Cosmetologist License	License to practice cosmetology; Provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring and styling hair.

Additional Requirements

Background check: Background check required
Exam: Third-party exam required
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in New Mexico vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Albuquerque	850	$38,330	$40,170	$27,600	$50,030
Santa Fe	100	$30,990	$37,210	$30,160	$48,600
Farmington	50	$27,360	$30,800	$26,900	$43,150

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Cosmetologists in New Mexico

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within New Mexico according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Albuquerque	850	$38,330
Santa Fe	100	$30,990
Farmington	50	$27,360

Explore More Trades in New Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 1,230 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cosmetologist in New Mexico with an out-of-state license? Contact the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in New Mexico? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Mexico.

How much do cosmetologists earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New Mexico is $37,750, which is $2,500 above the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists - Licensing Information: https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/barbers-and-cosmetologists-overview/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)