New Mexico Median
$52,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#38 of 51
5,520 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in New Mexico?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New Mexico take home a median of $52,000 annually — roughly $25.00 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $59,850.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $44,800 while the top 10% make $69,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,470 and $60,090 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,800 | $21.54 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,470 | $22.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,090 | $28.89 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,690 | $33.50 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660California $87,160Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280District of Columbia $74,610Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330South Dakota $59,500Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140Tennessee $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New Mexico
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment 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 ($52,000) 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in New Mexico?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in New Mexico is $52,000 per year, or about $25.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,800 at the entry level to $69,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 13% less than the national median of $59,850. New Mexico ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,000 a year. About 5,520 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment 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.