Average RN Salary in New Mexico: See How Much NM Nurses Make
Updated June 16, 2023 · 5 Min Read
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New Mexico is one of the most diverse states in the country and an excellent place to develop or use your cultural competence skills as a nurse. This guide to registered nurse (RN) salaries in New Mexico gives you the information you need to negotiate the best possible salary. Keep reading to learn about typical pay ranges, areas with the highest RN salaries in New Mexico, and comparisons with other nursing roles.
- Average New Mexico RN Salary: $77,590 (Ranks 21st among all states)
- Hourly New Mexico RN Salary: $37.31
- Projected New Mexico RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 11.3%
Source: BLS, Projections Central
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Average RN Salaries in New Mexico
The average RN salary in New Mexico is $77,590, with an average hourly pay of $37.31.This figure compares favorably with the national median RN salary of $77,600.
Half of all registered nurse salaries in New Mexico are between $63,480-$79,740. The top 10% of all RN salaries in New Mexico are $98,660 or higher. However, in many parts of New Mexico, a lower cost of living makes these salaries worth more in terms of purchasing power.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| 25% | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| 50% (Median) | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| 75% | $79,740 | $38.34 |
| 90% | $98,660 | $47.44 |
Source: BLS
New Mexico RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
When considering a job offer that requires relocation, you need to take the cost of living into account when comparing the salary to your current salary or comparing offers. The national cost of living index is 100, which represents the average national cost of standard goods and services like housing, transportation, and food.
You can compare regional indexes to understand how far your salary will go. The New Mexico state cost of living index is 91.6, meaning that an RN salary in New Mexico will go 8.4% further than in the country as a whole.
Adjusted for the cost of living index, the average registered nurse salary in New Mexico is equal to $84,108. This moves it into the 11th-highest RN salary among all states.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $84,108 (Ranks 11th among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 91.6 (8.4% less than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in New Mexico
New Mexico is one of the most diverse states in the country. You can find a mix of Native American, Hispanic, and European cultures anywhere in New Mexico. The Albuquerque metropolitan area has a population of approximately 900,000, making it the largest city in New Mexico and home to some of its largest hospitals and health systems.
Santa Fe is famous for its fine arts and natural outdoor beauty that inspired so many artists. While largely dependent on the petroleum industry, Farmington is also on the Trails of the Ancients scenic byway. Las Cruces, the second-largest city in New Mexico, is home to New Mexico State University and the White Sands Department of Defense facilities, as well as Virgin Galactic and Spaceport America.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,570 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $79,350 |
| Farmington, NM | $73,900 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $70,860 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in New Mexico
If you are a nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse, you can dramatically increase your salary by becoming an RN. If you are already an RN, you can earn even more as an advanced practice registered nurse by pursuing more advanced education.
You can become a nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or nurse anesthetist with a master of science in nursing degree or seek additional education in a doctor of nursing practice program.
- Nursing Assistants: $31,620
- LPN/LVNs: $56,040
- Nurse Midwives: $107,600
- Nurse Practitioners: $118,480
- Nurse Anesthetists: $164,900
Source: BLS
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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