How to Become an Electrician in New Mexico

In New Mexico, electricians are in high demand.

That means that electricians in this state are getting paid extra well, and there’s constantly new work available for anyone who wants it.

Sounds like bliss, right?

If so, keep reading to find out how you can become an electrician in New Mexico!

Electrician Job Duties and Skills In New Mexico

Here is a list of a couple of the job duties and skills electricians in New Mexico need to have:

• Ability to read blueprints
• Ability to interpret sketches
• Ability to install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems
• Ability to repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools.
• Ability to inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers.
• Hand-eye coordination
• Good communication
• Teamwork 
• Management
• Customer service
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving

And more.

How to Become an Electrician In New Mexico

Step One – Meet Requirements

You must be 18 years or older to get your electrical license in New Mexico.

You also have to have at least a high school diploma or a GED.

Make sure to reach these requirements or you will not qualify to get your electrical license.

Step Two – Get Your Classroom Hours

You must have completed 16 classroom hours before you can qualify to apply for your electrical license in New Mexico.

Step Three – Complete Your Training

You’ll also need anywhere from 4,000 to 8,000 hours of practical work experience to become an electrician in New Mexico.

There are several ways you can go about getting this experience.

You can attend a community college or go to a technical or vocational school.

You can also go through an apprenticeship.

Step Four – Apply For Your License

Lastly, you’ll need to apply for your electrical license.

The exam has 170 questions in total, and you’ll need to score 75% or higher to pass.

Once you’ve passed the exam, you’ll be licensed!

Training Programs for Electricians In New Mexico

Doña Ana Community College

Doña Ana Community College offers a one-year pre-apprenticeship certificate program that is designed to provide students with the technical background and the manual skills necessary for careers in the installation and maintenance of electrical power cables.

This training can also apply to other industries like working with cable television companies, telephone companies, and line construction contractors.

Students in this program can also expect to be exposed to curriculum topics like AC/DC electrical theory, field training, occupational safety, line construction theory, rigging, and transformers.

Northern New Mexico IEC

The Northern New Mexico IEC Electrician Apprenticeship Program provides students with 160 hours of classroom instruction and 8000 hours of hands-on, on-the-job training.

This program has a curriculum that is used nationwide by almost 10,000 registered I.E.C. apprentices each year.

Apprentices, who successfully complete all of the program’s requirements will be able to receive a Completion Certificate from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, State Apprenticeship Council, and the National IEC.

The program will prepare its students for all sorts of work within the electrical industry, so it’s a great choice!

Mesalands Community College

Mesalands Community College offers various wind energy technology degrees and certificates, such as the:

• Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)
• Applied Science Certificate
• Occupational Certificate

And more.

The program promises to prepare students for employment in job descriptions like Robotics Technicians and Electro-Mechanical Technicians.

The college provides instruction in various areas such as:

• Wind turbine technology
• Turbine placement and construction
• Turbine operations and maintenance
• Monitoring and communications technology
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical theory
• Power generation and distribution
• Hydraulics

And even more.

Luna Community College

At Luna Community College, there is an electrical wiring technology program, which can provide students with a certificate.

Not only that, the completion of this certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Vocational/Technical Studies.

This course covers several topics, such as:

• Residential Electricity
• Wiring Special Circuits
• Commercial Electricity
• AC/DC Motor Control

And so on.

Electrician Salaries In New Mexico

You’re probably interested in learning more about an electrician’s salary, right?

One thing to note is that an electrician’s salary will depend on a wide variety of factors, such as:

• Work experience
• Knowledge
• Expertise
• Specialization
• Location

You can see a table down below that shows the average salary of an electrician depending on which city in New Mexico they reside in!

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Santa Fe	$61,671
Albuquerque	$61,360
Rio Rancho	$61,164
Farmington	$60,536
Clovis	$58,789
Hobbs	$58,258
Alamogordo	$58,212
Roswell	$57,233
Carlsbad	$57,233
Las Cruces	$55,471

Regional Salary in New Mexico

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Electricians, OCC Code 47-2111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be licensed to be an electrician in New Mexico?

Yes, you cannot legally work as an electrician in New Mexico without a license.

How many years of on-the-job training required to become an electrician in New Mexico?

At least four years of on-the-job training under a licensed electrician are required.

Do electricians get paid well in New Mexico?

Yes. Since electricians in New Mexico are in really high demand and there is more demand than there is supply, electricians in New Mexico get paid very well.

Electrician Info by State