Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Mexico: $62,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $62,219/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,910 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Santa Fe ($72,750), Farmington ($62,690), Rio Rancho ($62,573).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in New Mexico are projected to earn an average median salary of $62,219, which is 8.6% lower than the national median of $68,071. Santa Fe offers the highest salaries for LPNs at $76,897, while Taos ranks as the lowest at $59,116, creating a salary gap of $17,781. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local healthcare demands, and the availability of jobs in different regions. New Mexico has specific licensing requirements that must be met to work as an LPN, including passing the NCLEX-PN exam, which aligns with national standards. The state's practice laws allow LPNs to perform a variety of tasks, including basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. The demand for LPNs in New Mexico is influenced by the aging population and growing healthcare facilities, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% in this sector. Currently, there are approximately 1,952 LPNs employed across the state, with job opportunities spread across various metropolitan areas such as Farmington ($66,263), Rio Rancho ($66,140), Las Cruces ($65,185), and Roswell ($63,037). The outlook for LPNs in New Mexico appears solid as the state continues to address healthcare needs and workforce demands.
New Mexico Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $38,316 (lowest entry-level) to $97,709 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico licensed practical nurses earn 8.6% less than the national median ($-5,852/year difference).
New Mexico Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in New Mexico range from $40,961 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,351 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,219. The New Mexico median is $5,852 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $29.91/hr. Approximately 1,952 licensed practical nurses are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,063
2025 BLS Actual
$58,864
2026 Current Est.
$62,219
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,063 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,838 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,766 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 20.0% from $49,063 (2019) to $58,864 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,766 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,703 (34.04%) 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 5.70% 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 | $59,116 |
| Los Alamos | $59,227 |
| Los Lunas | $59,725 |
| Las Vegas | $59,734 |
| Gallup | $59,744 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $76,897 | 98.767 | $77,857 |
| Farmington | $66,263 | 87.707 | $75,550 |
| Las Cruces | $65,185 | 90.212 | $72,258 |
| Rio Rancho | $66,140 | 94.4 | $70,064 |
| Roswell | $63,037 | 94.4 | $66,776 |
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) | $40,961 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,219 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,351 |
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 | $76,897 |
| 2 | Farmington | $66,263 |
| 3 | Rio Rancho | $66,140 |
| 4 | Las Cruces | $65,185 |
| 5 | Roswell | $63,037 |
| 6 | Alamogordo | $62,518 |
| 7 | Hobbs | $62,483 |
| 8 | South Valley | $62,229 |
| 9 | Clovis | $61,023 |
| 10 | Carlsbad | $60,928 |
| 11 | Albuquerque | $60,640 |
| 12 | Deming | $59,956 |
| 13 | Gallup | $59,744 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | $59,734 |
| 15 | Los Lunas | $59,725 |
| 16 | Los Alamos | $59,227 |
| 17 | Taos | $59,116 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in New Mexico?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
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 5.70% 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 licensed practical nurse compensation across New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute 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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov