Lawyer Salary in New Mexico (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Lawyers in New Mexico, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$119,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$57.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#37 of 51
3,380 employed here

How much does a Lawyer make in New Mexico?

A Lawyer working in New Mexico earns a median salary of $119,680 per year, or about $57.54 per hour. That is 25% below the national median of $159,670 for this occupation.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $76,100 while the top 10% make $232,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $95,910 and $157,870 a year.

Lawyer salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$76,100$36.59
25th percentile (early career)$95,910$46.11
50th percentile (median)$119,680$57.54
75th percentile (experienced)$157,870$75.90
90th percentile (top earners)$232,890$111.97

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories for Lawyer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$207,860
2District of Columbia$195,190
3California$195,080
4Massachusetts$176,680
5Delaware$173,510

Working as a Lawyer in New Mexico

Nationally, about 755,000 people work as Lawyers in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare New Mexico pay ($119,680) 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 does a Lawyer make in New Mexico?
The median Lawyer salary in New Mexico is $119,680 per year, or about $57.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,100 at the entry level to $232,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Lawyers about 25% less than the national median of $159,670. New Mexico ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Lawyers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $119,680 a year. About 3,380 Lawyers are employed in New Mexico. 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 Lawyer 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.