New Mexico Minimum Wage Act
NMSA 50-4-22
Regulatory Snapshot: New Mexico Minimum Wage Act
New Mexico Minimum Wage Act (NMSA 50-4-22) is an enacted law in New Mexico under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2019-03-08 and becomes effective on 2023-01-01. New Mexico currently reports 1 tracked regulations with 1 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 17/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places New Mexico within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in NMSA 50-4-22 itself.
Applicability under New Mexico Minimum Wage Act: All NM employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Labor Relations Division enforcement. Civil penalties. Notable exemptions: Student workers (limited), commission-based employees..
Summary
New Mexico minimum wage $12.00/hr statewide. Albuquerque and Santa Fe set higher local rates. Tipped: $3.00/hr.
Key Requirements
$12.00/hr statewide. Tipped: $3.00/hr + tips. Local ordinances allowed (Albuquerque $13.62, Santa Fe $16.20+).
Penalties
Labor Relations Division enforcement. Civil penalties.
Applicability
All NM employers.
Exemptions
Student workers (limited), commission-based employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. New Mexico is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was New Mexico Minimum Wage Act enacted?
New Mexico Minimum Wage Act was enacted on 2019-03-08 and became effective on 2023-01-01. It was introduced as NMSA 50-4-22.
What are the penalties for violating New Mexico Minimum Wage Act?
Labor Relations Division enforcement. Civil penalties. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does New Mexico Minimum Wage Act apply to small businesses?
All NM employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does New Mexico compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
New Mexico has a regulatory strictness score of 17/100, based on 1 enacted regulation out of 1 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of New Mexico Minimum Wage Act?
The official text of New Mexico Minimum Wage Act (NMSA 50-4-22) is available from the New Mexico legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |