Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in New Mexico: $42,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $42,991/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,541 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Santa Fe ($46,530), Rio Rancho ($41,061), Albuquerque ($39,950).
As of 2026, certified nursing assistants in New Mexico earn an average median salary of $42,991, which is 4.5% below the national median of $45,007. Santa Fe offers the highest salaries at $49,554, while Taos has the lowest at $39,086, creating a salary gap of $10,468. This disparity can be attributed to varying costs of living, healthcare demands, and local economic conditions. New Mexico's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws play a key role in shaping the job market for CNAs. With 3,332 certified nursing assistants employed statewide, the demand for these professionals continues to grow, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%. Cities like Rio Rancho ($43,730), Albuquerque ($42,547), Farmington ($41,950), and Roswell ($41,678) also contribute significantly to overall employment opportunities. As healthcare needs expand in both urban and rural areas, the demand for certified nursing assistants is likely to remain strong. Interested individuals should consider the varying salaries across regions and the specific requirements for practice within New Mexico to determine the best pathways for their careers in this field.
New Mexico Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $32,344 (lowest entry-level) to $60,929 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico certified nursing assistants earn 4.48% less than the national median ($-2,016/year difference).
New Mexico Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in New Mexico range from $36,899 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,900 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,991. The New Mexico median is $2,016 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $20.67/hr. Approximately 3,332 certified nursing assistants are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,286
2025 BLS Actual
$40,367
2026 Current Est.
$42,991
2019–2027 Growth
+56.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,286 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,307 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,496 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,851 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,032 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 37.8% from $29,286 (2019) to $40,367 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,499 (56.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Taos | $39,086 |
| Los Alamos | $39,159 |
| Los Lunas | $39,488 |
| Las Vegas | $39,494 |
| Gallup | $39,501 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $49,554 | 98.767 | $50,173 |
| Farmington | $41,950 | 87.707 | $47,830 |
| Rio Rancho | $43,730 | 94.4 | $46,324 |
| Albuquerque | $42,547 | 95.546 | $44,530 |
| Las Cruces | $39,831 | 90.212 | $44,153 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,899 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,991 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,900 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $49,554 |
| 2 | Rio Rancho | $43,730 |
| 3 | Albuquerque | $42,547 |
| 4 | Farmington | $41,950 |
| 5 | Roswell | $41,678 |
| 6 | Alamogordo | $41,335 |
| 7 | Hobbs | $41,312 |
| 8 | South Valley | $41,144 |
| 9 | Clovis | $40,346 |
| 10 | Carlsbad | $40,284 |
| 11 | Las Cruces | $39,831 |
| 12 | Deming | $39,641 |
| 13 | Gallup | $39,501 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | $39,494 |
| 15 | Los Lunas | $39,488 |
| 16 | Los Alamos | $39,159 |
| 17 | Taos | $39,086 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in New Mexico?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov