How Much Does a CNA Make in New Mexico in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in New Mexico, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · New Mexico · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in New Mexico earns about $18.94 per hour, or $39,390 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
That pay sits about 7% below the national figure of $20.32 per hour ($42,260 per year). New Mexico ranks 30th among the 51 states and D.C. for CNA wages, with 4,750 nursing assistants working across the state.
How much does a CNA make in New Mexico?
CNA pay by career stage in New Mexico
| Career stage | New Mexico | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $34,110$16.40 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $37,310$17.94 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $39,390$18.94 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $45,410$21.83 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $48,340$23.24 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in New Mexico
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in New Mexico · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
New Mexico CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical CNA earned $25,880 a year; by 2025 that figure reached $39,390, a rise of 52%, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
Nationally, CNA pay rose 64% over the same ten years, so New Mexico's gains have trailed the country's pace even while climbing. For someone starting out now, the trend line points up: pay has moved in the same direction year after year, though a decade of history is not a promise about the next one.
CNA salary by city in New Mexico
Pay varies by metro area within New Mexico. Santa Fe leads the state at $46,530 per year ($22.37 per hour), followed by Albuquerque at $39,950 and Farmington at $39,390. Las Cruces sits lowest among the state's tracked metro areas at $37,400.
That's a gap of $9,130 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas tracked, figures that cover each city's full metro area. As in most places, higher pay in a city like Santa Fe tends to track a higher cost of living, not just a better job.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs New Mexico | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $46,530 | $22.37 | +18% | 410 |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $39,950 | $19.21 | +1% | 2,110 |
| 3 | Farmington | $39,390 | $18.94 | 0% | 330 |
| 4 | Las Cruces | $37,400 | $17.98 | -5% | 390 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · New Mexico typical pay $39,390
How New Mexico compares with nearby states
New Mexico's neighbors show a wide range. Colorado pays CNAs 20% more ($47,380 a year) and Arizona pays 14% more ($44,780), while Texas (-5%, $37,500) and Oklahoma (-9%, $35,930) both pay less than New Mexico. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it's worth knowing what pay looks like just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $39,390 | baseline |
| Colorado | $47,380 | +20% |
| Arizona | $44,780 | +14% |
| Texas | $37,500 | -5% |
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | -9% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is New Mexico a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in New Mexico sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $39,390 a year, 7% below the national figure, ranking 30th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in New Mexico, about 5.5 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.2. That makes CNAs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates. On pay alone, New Mexico ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 52% over the past decade.
Summary
New Mexico CNAs typically earn $18.94 per hour ($39,390 per year) as of the latest government wage data (May 2025), up 52% over the past decade. For next steps, check the New Mexico state registry page for certification and renewal requirements, and see the city-level pages for local pay figures in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Farmington, and Las Cruces.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in New Mexico?
- A CNA in New Mexico typically earns $18.94 per hour, or about $39,390 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 7% below the national figure of $42,260 per year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in New Mexico?
- The typical hourly pay for a CNA in New Mexico is $18.94, compared with $20.32 nationally. Hourly pay ranges from around $16.40 in entry-level positions up to $23.24 for the most experienced CNAs.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in New Mexico?
- Entry-level CNA positions in New Mexico typically start around $16.40 per hour, or about $34,110 per year. Pay rises with experience, with typical pay reaching $18.94 per hour and experienced CNAs often earning upwards of $23.24 per hour.
- Which city in New Mexico pays CNAs the most?
- Santa Fe pays CNAs the most in New Mexico, with typical pay of $46,530 per year ($22.37 per hour). Albuquerque and Farmington follow, while Las Cruces has the lowest typical pay among the state's tracked metro areas at $37,400 per year.
- Is CNA pay in New Mexico higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in New Mexico runs about 7% below the national rate. The typical CNA in New Mexico earns $39,390 per year compared with $42,260 nationally, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).