Jobs that actually got a raise in New Mexico

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average (2024), so a New Mexico salary is worth about 1.08× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in New Mexico.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in New Mexico

OccupationMedian, New Mexico · Real change since 2019

1Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$48,270
Bachelor's degree
$34,400 – $65,100+94.3%+144.7% nominal
2Waiters and Waitresses$36,920
No formal educational credential
$26,670 – $69,410+57.3%+98.1% nominal
3Gambling Dealers$36,990
High school diploma or equivalent
$24,960 – $56,250+56.6%+97.2% nominal
4Bartenders$36,980
No formal educational credential
$25,720 – $63,570+56.3%+96.8% nominal
5Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$35,900
Some college, no degree
$27,050 – $46,390+46.8%+84.9% nominal
6Data Entry Keyers$49,810
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,990 – $53,410+44.8%+82.3% nominal
7Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$37,750
Postsecondary nondegree award
$27,190 – $52,560+42.3%+79.2% nominal
8Childcare Workers$35,840
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,880 – $42,190+36.8%+72.3% nominal
9Computer Occupations, All Other$127,090
Bachelor's degree
$70,120 – $194,850+34.3%+69.1% nominal
10Coaches and Scouts$49,980
Bachelor's degree
$32,660 – $111,220+33.9%+68.6% nominal
11Security Guards$43,320
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,220 – $64,840+31.7%+65.8% nominal
12Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$35,740
No formal educational credential
$29,750 – $45,190+31.3%+65.3% nominal
13Cooks, Short Order$37,150
No formal educational credential
$29,240 – $45,010+31.1%+65.0% nominal
14Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$31,150
No formal educational credential
$24,960 – $45,530+27.4%+60.4% nominal
15Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas$82,780
No formal educational credential
$48,840 – $101,860+25.7%+58.3% nominal
16Education Administrators, All Other$113,110
Bachelor's degree
$78,290 – $134,930+25.5%+58.0% nominal
17Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$62,150
No formal educational credential
$35,900 – $65,090+25.4%+57.9% nominal
18Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$37,500
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,870 – $48,310+25.3%+57.8% nominal
19Chemists$126,960
Bachelor's degree
$59,490 – $212,940+25.3%+57.7% nominal
20Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$57,800
High school diploma or equivalent
$41,060 – $71,800+24.4%+56.6% nominal
21Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$83,540
Bachelor's degree
$55,240 – $153,750+24.1%+56.3% nominal
22Office Clerks, General$37,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,750 – $52,000+23.8%+55.9% nominal
23Family Medicine Physicians$228,040
Doctoral or professional degree
$64,500 – $384,310+23.8%+55.9% nominal
24Carpenters$59,720
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,100 – $77,790+23.4%+55.4% nominal
25Special Education Teachers, Middle School$74,440
Bachelor's degree
$60,070 – $89,760+23.3%+55.2% nominal
26Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$44,070
Associate's degree
$32,270 – $79,560+23.1%+55.1% nominal
27Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$75,240
Bachelor's degree
$61,630 – $82,880+22.7%+54.5% nominal
28Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$74,100
Master's degree
$48,900 – $113,420+22.5%+54.3% nominal
29Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$79,490
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,510 – $135,200+22.0%+53.6% nominal
30Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$45,610
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,460 – $48,350+21.3%+52.7% nominal
31Food Preparation Workers$33,370
No formal educational credential
$27,290 – $38,200+21.3%+52.7% nominal
32Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,470
No formal educational credential
$28,920 – $45,330+21.3%+52.7% nominal
33Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$36,400
Bachelor's degree
$30,170 – $43,960+21.2%+52.6% nominal
34Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$58,840
Bachelor's degree
$44,350 – $67,200+21.2%+52.6% nominal
35Recreation Workers$31,900
High school diploma or equivalent
$26,510 – $52,960+20.7%+52.0% nominal
36Food Batchmakers$37,390
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,990 – $52,640+20.6%+51.9% nominal
37Residential Advisors$37,540
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,220 – $53,030+20.5%+51.8% nominal
38Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,020
No formal educational credential
$29,070 – $45,030+20.5%+51.7% nominal
39Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$80,590
Postsecondary nondegree award
$57,610 – $101,170+20.0%+51.1% nominal
40Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$29,360
No formal educational credential
$25,750 – $38,280+19.8%+50.9% nominal
41Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$96,070
Associate's degree
$59,940 – $124,110+19.4%+50.4% nominal
42Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$28,230
No formal educational credential
$26,900 – $29,510+19.1%+50.0% nominal
43Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$84,440
Postsecondary nondegree award
$49,690 – $99,020+18.8%+49.7% nominal
44Skincare Specialists$47,230
Postsecondary nondegree award
$30,010 – $90,770+18.4%+49.0% nominal
45Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$76,420
Bachelor's degree
$58,110 – $100,460+18.1%+48.7% nominal
46Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$36,400
No formal educational credential
$24,960 – $49,990+16.3%+46.4% nominal
47Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,700
No formal educational credential
$26,670 – $36,360+16.2%+46.3% nominal
48Helpers--Production Workers$35,650
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,820 – $46,200+15.8%+45.9% nominal
49Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$74,380
Bachelor's degree
$51,420 – $88,570+15.7%+45.8% nominal
50Cooks, Restaurant$35,020
No formal educational credential
$28,100 – $43,400+15.2%+45.1% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianNew Mexico	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$48,270	$34,400 – $65,100	+94.3%+144.7% nominal
2	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$36,920	$26,670 – $69,410	+57.3%+98.1% nominal
3	Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,990	$24,960 – $56,250	+56.6%+97.2% nominal
4	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$36,980	$25,720 – $63,570	+56.3%+96.8% nominal
5	Teaching Assistants, Except PostsecondarySome college, no degree	$35,900	$27,050 – $46,390	+46.8%+84.9% nominal
6	Data Entry KeyersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,810	$35,990 – $53,410	+44.8%+82.3% nominal
7	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37,750	$27,190 – $52,560	+42.3%+79.2% nominal
8	Childcare WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,840	$29,880 – $42,190	+36.8%+72.3% nominal
9	Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree	$127,090	$70,120 – $194,850	+34.3%+69.1% nominal
10	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$49,980	$32,660 – $111,220	+33.9%+68.6% nominal
11	Security GuardsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,320	$30,220 – $64,840	+31.7%+65.8% nominal
12	Food Servers, NonrestaurantNo formal educational credential	$35,740	$29,750 – $45,190	+31.3%+65.3% nominal
13	Cooks, Short OrderNo formal educational credential	$37,150	$29,240 – $45,010	+31.1%+65.0% nominal
14	Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and GreenhouseNo formal educational credential	$31,150	$24,960 – $45,530	+27.4%+60.4% nominal
15	Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasNo formal educational credential	$82,780	$48,840 – $101,860	+25.7%+58.3% nominal
16	Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree	$113,110	$78,290 – $134,930	+25.5%+58.0% nominal
17	Industrial Truck and Tractor OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$62,150	$35,900 – $65,090	+25.4%+57.9% nominal
18	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,500	$29,870 – $48,310	+25.3%+57.8% nominal
19	ChemistsBachelor's degree	$126,960	$59,490 – $212,940	+25.3%+57.7% nominal
20	Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57,800	$41,060 – $71,800	+24.4%+56.6% nominal
21	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$83,540	$55,240 – $153,750	+24.1%+56.3% nominal
22	Office Clerks, GeneralHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,130	$27,750 – $52,000	+23.8%+55.9% nominal
23	Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$228,040	$64,500 – $384,310	+23.8%+55.9% nominal
24	CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,720	$40,100 – $77,790	+23.4%+55.4% nominal
25	Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree	$74,440	$60,070 – $89,760	+23.3%+55.2% nominal
26	Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree	$44,070	$32,270 – $79,560	+23.1%+55.1% nominal
27	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$75,240	$61,630 – $82,880	+22.7%+54.5% nominal
28	Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsMaster's degree	$74,100	$48,900 – $113,420	+22.5%+54.3% nominal
29	Occupational Health and Safety TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$79,490	$47,510 – $135,200	+22.0%+53.6% nominal
30	Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,610	$35,460 – $48,350	+21.3%+52.7% nominal
31	Food Preparation WorkersNo formal educational credential	$33,370	$27,290 – $38,200	+21.3%+52.7% nominal
32	Cooks, Institution and CafeteriaNo formal educational credential	$36,470	$28,920 – $45,330	+21.3%+52.7% nominal
33	Substitute Teachers, Short-TermBachelor's degree	$36,400	$30,170 – $43,960	+21.2%+52.6% nominal
34	Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$58,840	$44,350 – $67,200	+21.2%+52.6% nominal
35	Recreation WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31,900	$26,510 – $52,960	+20.7%+52.0% nominal
36	Food BatchmakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,390	$28,990 – $52,640	+20.6%+51.9% nominal
37	Residential AdvisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,540	$31,220 – $53,030	+20.5%+51.8% nominal
38	Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$36,020	$29,070 – $45,030	+20.5%+51.7% nominal
39	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$80,590	$57,610 – $101,170	+20.0%+51.1% nominal
40	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$29,360	$25,750 – $38,280	+19.8%+50.9% nominal
41	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$96,070	$59,940 – $124,110	+19.4%+50.4% nominal
42	Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersNo formal educational credential	$28,230	$26,900 – $29,510	+19.1%+50.0% nominal
43	Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$84,440	$49,690 – $99,020	+18.8%+49.7% nominal
44	Skincare SpecialistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$47,230	$30,010 – $90,770	+18.4%+49.0% nominal
45	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree	$76,420	$58,110 – $100,460	+18.1%+48.7% nominal
46	Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural AnimalsNo formal educational credential	$36,400	$24,960 – $49,990	+16.3%+46.4% nominal
47	Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential	$28,700	$26,670 – $36,360	+16.2%+46.3% nominal
48	Helpers--Production WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,650	$30,820 – $46,200	+15.8%+45.9% nominal
49	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$74,380	$51,420 – $88,570	+15.7%+45.8% nominal
50	Cooks, RestaurantNo formal educational credential	$35,020	$28,100 – $43,400	+15.2%+45.1% nominal

More for New Mexico

Metro areas in New Mexico

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in New Mexico

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in New Mexico to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in New Mexico

More for New Mexico

Metro areas in New Mexico

By field in New Mexico

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state