Electricians in New Mexico will enjoy stable jobs now that there’s a projected 16% growth from 2020 to 2030.
This means that there’ll be an average of 540 jobs opening annually during the decade.
So if you want to practice the trade, here’s how you can become a licensed electrician in New Mexico.
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Potential Salary
As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the following salary information for New Mexico electricians:
Mean Wage
- Annually – $54,660
- Hourly – $26.28
| Percentile | Average Annual Wage |
| 10% | $34,330 |
| 25% | $38,240 |
| 50% | $49,820 |
| 75% | $62,200 |
| 90% | $78,210 |
Annual Salary Range:
Average Salary of Electricians in New Mexico
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $44,786 |
| Las Cruces | $40,758 |
| Santa Fe | $45,313 |
| Rio Rancho | $44,642 |
| Roswell | $42,053 |
| Farmington | $44,330 |
| Alamogordo | $42,772 |
| Clovis | $42,477 |
| Hobbs | $41,367 |
| Carlsbad | $42,053 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 2,770 | $58,950 | $28.34 | $77,430 | $37,210 |
| Farmington, NM | 310 | $68,720 | $33.04 | $111,560 | $42,000 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 320 | $52,620 | $25.3 | $83,090 | $34,530 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 130 | $53,310 | $25.63 | $73,850 | $31,480 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Licensed Electrician in New Mexico
You can’t perform electrical work in New Mexico without a license issued by the NM Electrical Bureau.
- Journeyman electrician
- Electrical contractor
Becoming a Journeyman Electrician
The Bureau issues 9 types of journeyman electrician licenses according to the type of work performed.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the following:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Have met the experience requirements
- At least 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience
- EE-98J Journeyman residential and commercial electrical
- EL-1J Journeyman electrical distribution systems, including transmission lines
- At least 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience
- ER-1J Journeyman residential wiring
- ES-1J Journeyman electrical signs and outline lighting
- ES-2 Journeyman cathodic protection and lightning protection systems
- ES-3J Journeyman sound, intercommunication, electrical alarm systems, and systems 50 volts and under
- ES-7J Journeyman telephone communication systems and telephone interconnect systems
- ES-10RJ Journeyman residential water well pump installer
- ES-10J Journeyman water well pump installer
- At least 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience
- Successfully pass the required exam(s)
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Applicable application fee
- Proof of work experience in the license classification within 10 years prior to application
Exam Details
The Bureau has contracted with PSI to help administer the exams.
Here are the details for the journeyman exam:
- Eligibility period – within 6 months from approval to test
- Exam fee – $68.88 each / $206.64 for exam combination
- Exam content and duration
- EE-98J
- Part I Code Exam – 50 questions in 145 minutes
- Part II Theory Exam – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- Part III Practical Exam – 100 questions in 120 minutes
- ER-1J
- Part I Code Exam – 40 questions in 90 minutes
- Part II Theory Exam – 25 questions in 60 minutes
- Part III Practical Exam – 100 questions in 120 minutes
- EL-1J – 80 questions in 205 minutes
- ES-1J – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- ES-2 – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- ES-3J – 50 questions in 145 minutes
- ES-7J – 50 questions in 135 minutes
- ES-10RJ – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- ES-10J – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- EE-98J
- Passing rate – 75%
License Renewal
Your license will expire after three years, on the last day of the month it was issued.
To renew, you must submit the following:
- Completed renewal application form
- Applicable renewal fee
- Proof of completing the approved continuing education courses, if applicable
The CE requirement is applicable only to EE98-J and EL-1J license holders.
They’ll have to complete at least 16 CE hours: 8 hours on electrical code updates and 8 hours on other industry-related instruction.
Becoming an Independent Electrical Contractor
The Bureau issues 3 major license classifications and 6 specialty licenses.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the following:
- Have met the experience requirements
- At least 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience
- EE-98 Residential, commercial, and industrial electrical wiring 5000 volts, nominal or less
- EL-1 Electrical distribution and transmission systems over 5000 volts, nominal
- At least 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience
- ER-1 Residential electrical wiring 5000 volts, nominal or less
- ES-1 Electrical signs and outline lighting
- ES-2 Cathodic protection and lightning protection systems
- ES-3 Low voltage special systems (under 50 volts)
- ES-7 Telephone communication systems
- ES-10R Residential water well pump installer
- ES-10 Water well pump installer
- At least 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience
- Successfully pass the required exam(s)
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Applicable application fee
- Designated a qualifying party
- Proof of work experience of the qualifying party in the license classification within 10 years prior to application
- Proof of financial responsibility – $10,000 bond
- Valid NM Tax ID Number
Exam Details
You’ll take two exam portions: (1) business and law exam and (2) either an inspector or trade exam.
Here are the details for the electrical contractor exam:
- Eligibility period – within 6 months from approval to test
- Exam fee – $68.88 each / $269.06 for exam combination
- Exam content and duration
- Business and law – 50 questions in 130 minutes
- Electrical inspector (general) – 80 questions in 210 minutes
- Residential electrical inspector – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- EE-98
- Part I Commercial and Industrial – 80 questions in 200 minutes
- Part II Residential – 40 questions in 100 minutes
- Part III Specialties – 50 questions in 135 minutes
- EL-1 – 100 questions in 265 minutes
- ER-1 – 80 questions in 180 minutes
- ES-1 – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- ES-2 – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- ES-3 – 50 questions in 145 minutes
- ES-7 – 50 questions in 145 minutes
- ES-10R – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- ES-10 – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- Passing rate – 75%
License Renewal
Your license will expire after three years, on the last day of the month it was issued.
To renew, you must submit the following:
- Completed renewal application form
- Applicable renewal fee
- Proof of having a current bond
Electrical Training Programs and Schools in New Mexico
As an aspiring electrician, you need to acquire electrical education and training first.
You can obtain this either through a trade school or a sponsored apprenticeship program.
Trade School
Here, you can learn the fundamental knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Electrical basics and tools
- Installing lighting, ceiling fans, and appliances
- Introduction to commercial wiring
- Conduit work
- Electrical equipment for commercial installation
- Electrical circuits and systems
- The service entrance and electrical panels
- Grounding and wiring
- Electrical wiring protection devices
- Electrical boxes, receptacles, and switches
Most schools have partnerships with electrical companies and construction firms to enable you to gain real-world experience.
Sponsored Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeship program sponsors are usually unions through the JATCs and non-unions through private employers or associations like the IEC.
Both sponsors will hire you as an apprentice wherein you’ll work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician.
The table below lists some of the schools and associations that offer approved electrical programs.
10 Electrician Schools in New Mexico
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | 525 Buena Vista Drive Southeast Albuquerque, NM |
| Dona Ana Community College | 2800 Sonoma Ranch Boulevard Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
| JATC of New Mexico | 4501 Montbel Loop Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87107 |
| JATC of the Southwestern Line Constructors (AJATC) | 8425 Washington Place Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87113 |
| Luna Community College | 366 Luna Drive Las Vegas, NM 87701 |
| New Mexico State University at Alamogordo | 2400 N. Scenic Drive Alamogordo, NM 88310 |
| Northern New Mexico College | 921 North Paseo de Onate Española, NM 87532 |
| Northern New Mexico IEC | 5031 Indian School Road Albuquerque, NM 87110 |
| Southern New Mexico IEC | 2215 South Main Street Las Cruces, NM 88005 |
| Western New Mexico University | 1000 West College Avenue Silver City, NM 88062 |
Electrician Schools by City
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