How much does workers' comp pay in New Mexico?
- New Mexico temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, up to $1,146.66 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,093.83 for 2025), with a $36 minimum.
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800.
- Benefits begin on the eighth day off work; the first seven days are paid if you are off more than four weeks.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate New Mexico ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
New Mexico permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- New Mexico whole-body permanent partial disability pays the compensation rate × the PPD rating each week.
- The rating is impairment plus age, education, training and physical-capacity modifiers, but workers back at pre-injury wages generally receive impairment only.
- Benefits last 500 weeks for ratings under 80% or 700 weeks at 80% or higher, counting TTD weeks already paid.
- A 10% rating at an $800 rate pays $80 a week.
- Scheduled body-part losses use a separate schedule.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
| Award basis | Full-loss / full-person weeks |
|---|---|
| Whole body, rating under 80% (500 weeks) | 500 |
| Whole body, rating 80% or more (700 weeks) | 700 |
How to evaluate a New Mexico settlement
- Lump-sum settlements require approval by a Workers' Compensation Administration judge.
- A judge may approve closing future medical when the worker understands the agreement and statutory fairness requirements are met.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
New Mexico workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official New Mexico sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 – December 31, 2026 | $1,146.66 | $36.00; no more than actual wages |
| January 1 – December 31, 2025 | $1,093.83 | $36.00; no more than actual wages |
New Mexico PPD pays the compensation rate times the rating each week, for 500 weeks (under 80%) or 700 weeks (80%+), including TTD weeks.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Give your employer written notice within 15 days of knowing the injury is work-related; this can extend to 60 days in qualifying circumstances, and actual employer knowledge can excuse written notice.
- File a claim generally within one year after the employer or insurer refuses or fails to pay.
New Mexico benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in New Mexico?+
New Mexico temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, up to $1,146.66 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,093.83 for 2025), with a $36 minimum. At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800. Benefits begin on the eighth day off work; the first seven days are paid if you are off more than four weeks.
How do permanent disability benefits work in New Mexico?+
New Mexico whole-body permanent partial disability pays the compensation rate × the PPD rating each week. The rating is impairment plus age, education, training and physical-capacity modifiers, but workers back at pre-injury wages generally receive impairment only. Benefits last 500 weeks for ratings under 80% or 700 weeks at 80% or higher, counting TTD weeks already paid. A 10% rating at an $800 rate pays $80 a week. Scheduled body-part losses use a separate schedule.
Can a New Mexico settlement close future medical care?+
Lump-sum settlements require approval by a Workers' Compensation Administration judge. A judge may approve closing future medical when the worker understands the agreement and statutory fairness requirements are met.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in New Mexico?+
Give your employer written notice within 15 days of knowing the injury is work-related; this can extend to 60 days in qualifying circumstances, and actual employer knowledge can excuse written notice. File a claim generally within one year after the employer or insurer refuses or fails to pay.
Who picks my New Mexico workers' comp doctor?+
The employer chooses the initial provider or lets you choose. After 60 days, the other party generally may change providers.
When do New Mexico wage benefits start?+
On the eighth day off work. The first seven days are paid if you are off more than four weeks.
What are New Mexico PPD modifiers?+
Age, education, training and residual physical capacity can raise the PPD rating above the impairment rating, unless you returned to work at pre-injury wages or more.
How fast must my employer report a New Mexico injury?+
The employer must report the accident to its insurer within 72 hours of being notified.
Does surgery guarantee a larger New Mexico settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are New Mexico workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through New Mexico workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare a New Mexico settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my New Mexico benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.