Certifications & licenses in New Mexico

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 28 professional credentials in NM. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers

Top-paying

Dental Hygienist

$95,940

insights

What's different about New Mexico

Licensing landscape in New Mexico

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department

distinct boards

COSMETOLOGY

A cosmetology license in New Mexico requires the completion of a 1,600-hour course of instruction from a licensed school.

New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists

MASSAGE THERAPY

To become a licensed massage therapist, a minimum of 650 hours of massage therapy training is required as of 2024.

New Mexico Massage Therapy Board

EMT

EMT licensure requires passing the National Registry (NREMT) exam and paying a $65 fee to the EMS Bureau as of 2024.

New Mexico EMS Bureau

TRADES

Journeyman electricians must complete 16 hours of continuing education every 3 years to renew their license.

New Mexico Construction Industries Division

Metro concentration of certified careers

Where certified careers cluster

Albuquerque, NM

13,950 jobs

Architecture and Engineering

BLS OEWS May 2024

Las Cruces, NM

7,560 jobs

Healthcare Support

BLS OEWS May 2024

Farmington, NM

5,040 jobs

Construction and Extraction

BLS OEWS May 2024

Cost-of-living adjusted earnings in New Mexico

What nominal wages are actually worth in New Mexico

92.5

COL composite index

MERIC Q3 2025

85.6

Housing index

17th lowest in US

National rank

A $75K salary in a high-cost state has roughly the purchasing power of a $81K salary in New Mexico.

Regional comparison: New Mexico vs. neighbors

New Mexico vs. neighboring states

Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage

State	Median annual wage	vs NM
NM	$39,390	—
AZ	$44,780	+14% vs NM
CO	$47,380	+20% vs NM
OK	$35,930	-9% vs NM
TX	$37,500	-5% vs NM
UT	$39,840	+1% vs NM

Massage Therapist · Required training hours

State	Required training hours	vs NM
NM	650 hours	—
AZ	700 hours	+50 hours
CO	650 hours	0 hours
OK	500 hours	-150 hours
TX	500 hours	-150 hours
UT	600 hours	-50 hours

health_and_safety

Healthcare in New Mexico

14 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)	Required	$39,390	4-9 weeks	—
Dental Assistant	No	$44,400	3-6 months	—
EMT	Required	$37,550	3-6 months	—
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	Required	$59,330	1-2 years	—
Medical Assistant	No	$39,230	4-24 months	—
Medical Coder	No	$57,470	5-18 months	—
Paramedic	Required	$55,530	1-2 years	—
Pharmacy Technician	Required	$46,630	3-12 months	—
Phlebotomist	No	$42,910	4-8 months	—
Radiology Technologist	Required	$79,940	2 years	—
Registered Nurse (RN)	Required	$94,340	2-4 years	—
Respiratory Therapist	Required	$68,870	2-4 years	—
Surgical Technologist	No	$51,780	1-2 years	—
Dental Hygienist	Required	$95,940	2-4 years	—

construction

Skilled Trades in New Mexico

5 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CDL Truck Driver	Required	$50,500	4-8 weeks	—
Electrician	Required	$58,390	4 years	—
HVAC Technician	Required	$50,270	2 years	—
Plumber	Required	$61,440	2 years	$250
Welder	No	$59,840	1-5 years	—

spa

Personal Care & Wellness in New Mexico

4 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
Personal Trainer	No	$44,680	1-8 months	—
Barber	Required	$39,100	9-12 months	—
Cosmetologist	Required	$37,750	10-13 months	—
Massage Therapist	Required	$37,840	6-12 months	—

business_center

Professional & Business in New Mexico

5 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)	Required	$78,580	1-3 years	$1,200
Notary Public	Required	—	2-10 weeks	$80
Paralegal	No	$59,840	—	—
Insurance Agent	Required	$45,180	2-6 weeks	—
Real Estate Agent	Required	$76,170	3-5 months	—