Top Paying Jobs in New Mexico
New Mexico has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 103,220 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Emergency Medicine Physicians ($405,130), Anesthesiologists ($393,970), Surgeons, All Other ($363,940). The cost of living index is 93.06 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,119/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$138K
Avg. median salary
93.06
Cost of living index
$1,119
Median 2BR rent
2,117,764
Population
Highest paying careers in New Mexico
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Pediatricians, General | Healthcare | $202K | $97.3/hr |
| 12 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Technology | $166K | $79.66/hr |
| 13 | Materials Engineers | Engineering | $166K | $79.61/hr |
| 14 | Computer Hardware Engineers | Engineering | $165K | $79.5/hr |
| 15 | Physicists | Science | $165K | $79.49/hr |
| 16 | Nuclear Engineers | Engineering | $164K | $78.99/hr |
| 17 | Engineers, All Other | Engineering | $162K | $77.92/hr |
| 18 | Electrical Engineers | Engineering | $159K | $76.21/hr |
| 19 | Chemical Engineers | Engineering | $158K | $76.05/hr |
| 20 | Mechanical Engineers | Engineering | $158K | $75.82/hr |
Affordability snapshot: New Mexico
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-6.9% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,119/mo
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Metro areas in New Mexico
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Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
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After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in New Mexico?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
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Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data