LAS CRUCES, New Mexico – Starting January 1, 2025, the City of Las Cruces will increase its minimum hourly wage from $12.36 to $12.65, providing a boost to workers across the city. In addition, tipped employees will see their wages rise from $4.95 to $5.06 per hour, according to the city’s announcement.
This wage adjustment is in accordance with the Las Cruces Municipal Code, which ensures that minimum wages in the city are aligned with both local ordinances and the broader state minimum wage laws. The annual adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the city adopts the higher of the two wage values set by state and local authorities.
How the Increase Works
The City of Las Cruces follows a systematic process for adjusting wages each year. Since the enactment of the New Mexico Minimum Wage Act in 2020, the city has calculated the annual increase by comparing the local wage to the state’s wage rate, adopting the higher rate. This ensures that local workers benefit from any increases that may outpace state-set minimum wages.
“On January 1, 2020, the State of New Mexico enacted the New Mexico Minimum Wage Act,” said the City of Las Cruces. “Each year in September, we calculate the minimum wage and tipped wage based on the City ordinance and compare it to the minimum wage and tipped wage set by the State of New Mexico; we adopt the higher of the two.”
The move marks another step in the city’s commitment to ensuring fair wages for its workers. In 2014, Las Cruces enacted an ordinance that established a local minimum wage and set annual increases, tied to the CPI starting in 2020.
Historical Wage Adjustments in Las Cruces
Over the years, Las Cruces has seen steady increases in both its minimum and tipped wages. Here’s a look at how the wages have changed since the city first implemented the ordinance in 2014:
- 2020: Minimum wage: $10.25, Tipped wage: $4.10
- 2021: Minimum wage: $10.50, Tipped wage: $4.16
- 2022: Minimum wage: $11.50, Tipped wage: $4.40
- 2023: Minimum wage: $12.00, Tipped wage: $4.78
- 2024: Minimum wage: $12.36, Tipped wage: $4.95
- 2025: Minimum wage: $12.65, Tipped wage: $5.06
In 2025, while the state minimum wage remains at $12, the city’s new minimum wage will reflect the latest adjustments according to the CPI, ensuring that Las Cruces workers benefit from a higher wage rate than the state’s minimum.
What This Means for Workers
For workers in Las Cruces, this wage increase represents both a reflection of the rising cost of living and a local commitment to providing fair compensation. The increased wages will benefit thousands of local workers, particularly in industries like hospitality, retail, and service, where tipped wages are more common.
The City of Las Cruces encourages workers to stay informed about their rights under the city’s minimum wage laws and to reach out to local authorities if they have questions about how the new wages may apply to their specific situation.
The ongoing adjustments to the city’s minimum wage are an important step in fostering economic security for residents, helping to ensure that workers earn a living wage that keeps up with inflation and the cost of living.
As 2025 begins, Las Cruces will continue to be one of the cities in New Mexico committed to maintaining wages that reflect the needs of its workforce.
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