How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in New Mexico
New Mexico employs approximately 4,750 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,390 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in New Mexico, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in New Mexico
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in New Mexico? New Mexico requires credentials such as Certified Nurse Midwives, Medication Aides, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The licensing authority is the New Mexico Department of Health - Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives 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 certified nursing assistants. The New Mexico Department of Health - Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in New Mexico is $39,390 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,110 and experienced professionals can earn $48,340 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 Department of Health - Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives
- Median wage (New Mexico): $39,390 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Health - Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in New Mexico 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Midwives | The provision of health care and management of women in the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and interconceptual periods and infants up to 6 weeks of age. |
| Medication Aides | Certification as a Medication Aides. Medication aides administer medications in a variety of health care settings such as Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded, Developmental Disabled… |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | Certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), with graduate preparation from a program that… |
| Registered Nurse | License for practice in the state as a Registered Nurse |
| Nurse Practitioner | Certification as a Nurse Practitioner. Nurse practitioners (NP’s) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide care to patients throughout the lifespan, from premature newborns to the elderly. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | Certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), with graduate preparation from a program that prepares CNS’s. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | License for practice in the state as a Licensed Practical Nurse |
| Nursing Home Facility Administrators License | Licensure for the administrators of a long-term care and hospital-based skilled nursing care facilities. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants 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 | 2,110 | $39,950 | $41,980 | $35,240 | $49,000 |
| Santa Fe | 410 | $46,530 | $45,710 | $35,920 | $57,210 |
| Las Cruces | 390 | $37,400 | $38,750 | $30,370 | $45,080 |
| Farmington | 330 | $39,390 | $41,460 | $35,160 | $50,970 |
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 Certified nursing assistants in New Mexico
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant 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 | 2,110 | $39,950 |
| Santa Fe | 410 | $46,530 |
| Las Cruces | 390 | $37,400 |
| Farmington | 330 | $39,390 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 4,750 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in New Mexico with an out-of-state license? Contact the New Mexico Department of Health - Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives 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 certified nursing assistants earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in New Mexico is $39,390, which is $140 below the national median of $39,530 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 Department of Health - Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives - Licensing Information: https://nmhealth.org/about/phd/fhb/mwp/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |