Plumber in New Mexico
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NM
How to Become a Plumber in New Mexico
To become a Journeyman Plumber in New Mexico, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and accumulate 4,000 hours of practical plumbing experience. After meeting the experience requirement, you must pass both a written and practical New Mexico Journeyman Plumber (JP) Examination. The licensing process is managed by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division, with applications and exams handled by PSI Exams. New Mexico offers reciprocity for journeyman licenses with several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Plumber Requirements in New Mexico
| Detail | New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department - Construction Industries Division |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | None |
| Experience Required | 4,000.0 hours |
| Exam | New Mexico Journeyman Plumber (JP) Examination ($138) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 16.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18 years old. A high school diploma or GED is also required. For those wishing to own a business, a Plumbing Contractor (MM-1) license is available, requiring 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience, passing a plumbing trade exam and a business and law exam, and a $10,000 surety bond. New Mexico does not issue master plumber licenses. |
Source: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department - Construction Industries Division
License Tiers
New Mexico offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman Plumber (JP) | 4,000 |
Plumber Salary in New Mexico
The median plumber salary in New Mexico is $59,660 per year, which is 5.3% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,100 |
| 25th | $46,800 |
| 50th (median) | $59,660 |
| 75th | $76,320 |
| 90th (experienced) | $84,090 |
New Mexico employs approximately 2,900 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Plumber in New Mexico Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $250 and a median salary of $59,660 in New Mexico, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: New Mexico's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.