Nuclear Engineer Salary in New Mexico (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$195,190
2California$172,400
3New Mexico$164,300
4Maryland$157,960
5Massachusetts$145,760

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.