City Minimum Wages on the Rise in New Mexico

Every January 1, the City of Albuquerque, the City of Las Cruces, and Unincorporated Bernalillo County are subject to a minimum wage update. However, Bernalillo County’s Minimum Wage notice is not typically available until roughly 2 months after the first of the year, so we’ll be reporting on that at a much later date.

For now, keep reading to find out what’s new in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, whose Minimum Wage notices are currently available.

2019 Minimum Wage Updates

Albuquerque

The annual adjustment to Albuquerque’s minimum wage, based on fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index, is available on the city’s website by October 15 of each year, and this year was no exception.

Beginning January 1, 2019:

  • The minimum wage increases to $9.20.
  • For employers who provide healthcare and/or childcare benefits to employees during any pay period—and pay an amount for those benefits that is equal to or exceeds an annualized cost of $2,500—the minimum wage increases to $8.20.
  • The minimum wage for tipped employees increases to $5.50.

Las Cruces

Effective January 1, 2019, every employer in the City of Las Cruces is required to pay all employees not less than a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, and pay tipped employees at least $4.04 per hour, for every hour worked within the city limits. Tipped employees are those who customarily and regularly receive more than $30.00 in tips per week.

Beginning January 1, 2020, and every year thereafter, the minimum wage in Las Cruces will be adjusted based on the cost of living.

Compliance Made Easy

We encourage you to order our City/County Poster 1-Year Plan, so that you will automatically receive your updated city poster as soon as it is available. And because we provide free poster updates for mandatory changes, no matter how many occur during the plan year, you can always count on Poster Compliance Center to keep you in compliance!