Registered Nurse Salary in New Mexico (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$94,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#24 of 51
17,980 employed here

How much does a Registered Nurse make in New Mexico?

Registered Nurses in New Mexico take home a median of $94,340 annually — roughly $45.36 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $97,550.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $74,300 while the top 10% make $123,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,960 and $102,750 a year.

Registered Nurse salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$74,300$35.72
25th percentile (early career)$80,960$38.92
50th percentile (median)$94,340$45.36
75th percentile (experienced)$102,750$49.40
90th percentile (top earners)$123,540$59.39

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$140,270
2Hawaii$136,320
3Oregon$129,010
4Washington$124,200
5Alaska$109,480

Working as a Registered Nurse in New Mexico

Nationally, about 3,380,000 people work as Registered Nurses 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 ($94,340) 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 Registered Nurse make in New Mexico?
The median Registered Nurse salary in New Mexico is $94,340 per year, or about $45.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,300 at the entry level to $123,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Registered Nurses about 3% less than the national median of $97,550. New Mexico ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Registered Nurses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $94,340 a year. About 17,980 Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurse 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.