New Mexico Workers' Comp Benefits (2026)
How New Mexico pays injured workers: the weekly rate while you recover, the 2026 maximum, and what each type of permanent injury is worth, with the statute behind each number.
What is different in New Mexico
If the worker is back at work earning at least the pre-injury wage, PPD is just the compensation rate times the impairment rating; if not, the rating is increased by modifiers for age, education, skills and physical capacity. Whole-body benefits (TTD plus PPD) are capped at 500 weeks, or 700 weeks when the disability rating is 80% or more.
Weekly benefits while you cannot work
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,146.66 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $36 |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 28 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 700 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
What each injury is worth
| Injury | How it is paid | Max award |
|---|---|---|
| Back | whole-person % × 500 weeks | $57,333 (10% rating) |
| Neck | whole-person % × 500 weeks | $57,333 (10% rating) |
| Shoulder | 200 weeks | $229,332 |
| Knee | 150 weeks | $171,999 |
| Arm | 200 weeks | $229,332 |
| Hand | 125 weeks | $143,332 |
| Thumb | 55 weeks | $63,066 |
| Index Finger | 28 weeks | $32,106 |
| Leg | 200 weeks | $229,332 |
| Foot | 115 weeks | $131,866 |
| Big Toe | 35 weeks | $40,133 |
| Eye | 120 weeks | $137,599 |
| Hearing Loss | 150 weeks | $171,999 |
Permanent injuries in general
66 2/3% of AWW × impairment % (plus modifiers for age, education, skill/training and physical capacity if not back at pre-injury wage); max 500 weeks, or 700 weeks if the disability rating is 80% or more, reduced by weeks of temporary disability paid.
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: NMSA 1978 §52-1-41 (total disability), §52-1-42 (partial disability), §52-1-43 (scheduled injuries); NMSA 1978 §52-1-42 (partial disability, 500/700 weeks); §52-1-43 (scheduled injuries); §§52-1-26 to 52-1-26.4 (disability determination and modifiers)
- New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration (official site)
- workerscomp.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/awwtable.pdf
- secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0452150045
- law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2021/chapter-52/article-1/section-52-1-41/
- law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2011/chapter52/article1/section52-1-43/
- law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2021/chapter-52/article-1/section-52-1-42/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the New Mexico workers' compensation agency.
Estimate only. Your real award depends on your doctor's rating, your wage records, offsets and settlement terms. This page is general information, not legal advice.