Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education Salary in New Mexico (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in New Mexico, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$44,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.19
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $38,140
State Rank
#17 of 51
2,490 employed here

How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in New Mexico?

A Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education working in New Mexico earns a median salary of $44,070 per year, or about $21.19 per hour. That is 16% above the national median of $38,140 for this occupation.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $32,270 while the top 10% make $79,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,230 and $60,740 a year.

Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,270$15.51
25th percentile (early career)$37,230$17.90
50th percentile (median)$44,070$21.19
75th percentile (experienced)$60,740$29.20
90th percentile (top earners)$79,560$38.25

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories for Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$62,150
2Vermont$49,730
3Hawaii$48,780
4New Jersey$48,220
5Kansas$47,750

Working as a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education in New Mexico

Nationally, about 479,000 people work as Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 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 ($44,070) 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 Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in New Mexico?
The median Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in New Mexico is $44,070 per year, or about $21.19 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,270 at the entry level to $79,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education about 16% more than the national median of $38,140. New Mexico ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,070 a year. About 2,490 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 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 Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education 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.