New Mexico Median
$72,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#15 of 35
state estimate
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in New Mexico?
Chemical Plant and System Operators in New Mexico take home a median of $72,610 annually — roughly $34.91 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $78,120.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $70,190 while the top 10% make $75,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,610 and $73,730 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,190 | $33.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $72,610 | $34.91 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,610 | $34.91 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $73,730 | $35.45 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,350 | $36.23 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 15th out of 35 states and territories for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in other states
Florida $128,830Wyoming $107,810Texas $102,750Louisiana $100,060Kentucky $97,550Maryland $95,150Alabama $91,610Arkansas $91,610California $87,550Oregon $87,110New Jersey $86,820Massachusetts $83,710Idaho $82,980West Virginia $81,710Michigan $72,430Mississippi $71,080Pennsylvania $70,110South Carolina $68,510Ohio $67,580Minnesota $66,500Illinois $65,710Utah $63,460Virginia $63,000New York $62,980North Carolina $62,920Colorado $62,870Wisconsin $62,720Iowa $60,440Washington $60,120South Dakota $59,970Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Working as Chemical Plant and System Operators in New Mexico
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare New Mexico pay ($72,610) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in New Mexico?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in New Mexico is $72,610 per year, or about $34.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $70,190 at the entry level to $75,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 7% less than the national median of $78,120. New Mexico ranks 15th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $72,610 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chemical Plant and System Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.