Electrician in New Mexico

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NM. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$56,890
trending_down -8.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Mexico.

engineering
5,090

Jobs (NM)

monitoring Surging
+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$99

Licensing fees

schedule
4 years

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in New Mexico

To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician (EE-98J) in New Mexico, you must meet the requirements set by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division. This typically involves having a high school diploma or GED, accumulating 8,000 hours of experience over four years, and passing the New Mexico Journeyman Electrician (EE-98J) Exam administered by PSI. New Mexico offers reciprocity for journeyman licenses with several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,590
25th percentile $45,050
50th (median) $56,890
75th percentile $73,470
90th (experienced) $84,460

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for New Mexico. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist New Mexico requirements

Licensing bodyRegulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division
State license Required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED.
Experience8,000.0 hours
ExamNew Mexico Journeyman Electrician (EE-98J) Exam (PSI) ($69)
Application fee$30
RenewalEvery 3.0 years
Continuing education16.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age is 18 years old. Requires a high school diploma or GED. Applicants for a journeyman reciprocal certificate/license must have obtained their license by passing a mandatory examination after completing a 4-year apprenticeship or 4 years of equivalent experience.

Source: Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division

workspace_premium New Mexico license tiers

New Mexico offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier Hours required
Apprentice N/A
Journeyman (EE-98J) 8,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+9.5%
Much faster than average
Annual openings
81,000
Nationwide per year
Total employment
818,700
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.78/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • check_circleNew Mexico license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming an electrician in New Mexico? expand_more
In New Mexico, becoming an electrician requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the New Mexico Journeyman Electrician (EE-98J) Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($30 fee).
Does New Mexico require electrician licensure? expand_more
A state license is required in New Mexico. Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division handles electrician licensing — the New Mexico Journeyman Electrician (EE-98J) Exam (PSI) is part of the process.
How much do electricians make in New Mexico? expand_more
New Mexico electricians bring home a median salary of $56,890. — 9% under the $62,350 national average. The range spans from $36,590 at the entry level to $84,460 for top earners.
What are the fees to become an electrician in New Mexico? expand_more
Costs include exam fee ($69) and application fee ($30). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.
How long does it take to become an electrician in New Mexico? expand_more
Expect to spend 4 years from start to finish in New Mexico — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
What are the continuing education requirements for electricians in New Mexico? expand_more
Yes — electricians in New Mexico must complete 16.0 CE hours every 3.0 years to stay licensed.

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