How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in New Mexico
New Mexico employs approximately 2,550 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,630 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pharmacy technician in New Mexico, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in New Mexico
How do I become a pharmacy technician in New Mexico? New Mexico requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Registered Pharmacist, Pharmacist Clinician. The licensing authority is the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Pharmacy 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 pharmacy technicians. The New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in New Mexico is $46,630 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,470 and experienced professionals can earn $58,780 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 Pharmacy
- Median wage (New Mexico): $46,630 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in New Mexico
The New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in New Mexico 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | A Pharmacy Technician works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs repetitive tasks not requiring the professional judgment of a pharmacist. |
| Registered Pharmacist | Licensed by the board to engage in the practice of pharmacy in New Mexico. |
| Pharmacist Clinician | The Pharmacist Clinician is a pharmacist with additional training required by regulations adopted by the board in consultation with the New Mexico medical board and the New Mexico academy of physician… |
| Pharmacist Intern | Intern to become a pharmacist. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: Affidavit or referral required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians 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 | 1,410 | $46,630 | $48,240 | $38,290 | $59,180 |
| Las Cruces | 230 | $44,860 | $44,290 | $35,250 | $54,880 |
| Santa Fe | 160 | $47,890 | $49,920 | $38,680 | $59,340 |
| Farmington | 110 | $47,070 | $51,330 | $37,600 | $73,740 |
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 Pharmacy technicians in New Mexico
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician 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 | 1,410 | $46,630 |
| Las Cruces | 230 | $44,860 |
| Santa Fe | 160 | $47,890 |
| Farmington | 110 | $47,070 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 2,550 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in New Mexico with an out-of-state license? Contact the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - New Mexico Board of Pharmacy 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 pharmacy technicians earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in New Mexico is $46,630, which is $3,170 above the national median of $43,460 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 Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/pharmacy/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |