New Mexico Median
$164,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$78.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#3 of 19
500 employed here
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in New Mexico?
A Nuclear Engineer working in New Mexico earns a median salary of $164,300 per year, or about $78.99 per hour. That is 23% above the national median of $133,970 for this occupation.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $126,780 while the top 10% make $242,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $134,370 and $199,020 a year.
Nuclear Engineer salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $126,780 | $60.95 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $134,370 | $64.60 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $164,300 | $78.99 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $199,020 | $95.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $242,730 | $116.70 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 3rd out of 19 states and territories for Nuclear Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Nuclear Engineer salary in other states
District of Columbia $195,190California $172,400Maryland $157,960Massachusetts $145,760New York $141,200Florida $135,400Illinois $134,510Idaho $133,970Pennsylvania $133,250Alabama $132,570Georgia $132,440North Carolina $131,850Michigan $129,940Washington $129,480Virginia $128,890Texas $128,340South Carolina $126,570Maine $123,780
Working as a Nuclear Engineer in New Mexico
Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Nuclear Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare New Mexico pay ($164,300) 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 Nuclear Engineer make in New Mexico?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in New Mexico is $164,300 per year, or about $78.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $126,780 at the entry level to $242,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Nuclear Engineers about 23% more than the national median of $133,970. New Mexico ranks 3rd out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $164,300 a year. About 500 Nuclear Engineers are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Nuclear Engineer 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.