How to Become An Electrician in New Mexico
New Mexico employs approximately 5,020 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,390 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an electrician in New Mexico, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in New Mexico
How do I become an electrician in New Mexico? New Mexico requires credentials such as Electricians. The licensing authority is the There is some indication that this license exists in New Mexico, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts. 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 electricians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for electricians in New Mexico is $58,390 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,650 and experienced professionals can earn $86,830 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: There is some indication that this license exists in New Mexico, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts
- Median wage (New Mexico): $58,390 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Electrician License Requirements in New Mexico
The There is some indication that this license exists in New Mexico, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts oversees electrician licensing in New Mexico.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Electricians |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Electrician Apprenticeship Information in New Mexico
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Mexico’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship 4.
Contact Information:
- Office: New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
- Address: 401 Broadway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Phone: (505) 841-8565
- Email: [email protected]
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), electricians 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 | 2,440 | $59,120 | $58,420 | $36,650 | $81,310 |
| Las Cruces | 410 | $53,980 | $54,700 | $34,470 | $77,440 |
| Farmington | 340 | $57,150 | $59,420 | $35,770 | $88,990 |
| Santa Fe | 150 | $57,250 | $60,300 | $37,280 | $82,800 |
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 Electricians in New Mexico
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician 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 | 2,440 | $59,120 |
| Las Cruces | 410 | $53,980 |
| Farmington | 340 | $57,150 |
| Santa Fe | 150 | $57,250 |
Explore electrician programs in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Farmington.
Federal Prevailing Wage in New Mexico
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in New Mexico earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent New Mexico general wage determinations show approximately $28.25 per hour in base pay plus $6.62 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $34.87 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 5.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within electrician work.
Explore More Trades in New Mexico
- Plumber in New Mexico
- HVAC Technician in New Mexico
- Welder in New Mexico
- Carpenter in New Mexico
- Solar Installation Technician in New Mexico
- Auto Mechanic in New Mexico
- CNC Machinist in New Mexico
- Certified Nursing Assistant in New Mexico
- Medical Assistant in New Mexico
- Massage Therapist in New Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for electricians in New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 5,020 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in New Mexico with an out-of-state license? Contact the There is some indication that this license exists in New Mexico, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts 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. You can also contact the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in New Mexico is $58,390, which is $3,960 below the national median of $62,350 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Job-Seeker/Jobs-and-Careers/Apprenticeship/Current-Programs ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |