Chemical Engineer salary in New Mexico
Chemical Engineers in New Mexico earn a median of $158,190 a year ($76.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,360 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $125,040. New Mexico ranks 1st of 41 states for chemical engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.18 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $147,420, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| 25th percentile | $110,420 | $53.09 |
| Median | $158,190 | $76.05 |
| 75th percentile | $189,260 | $90.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,360 | $98.73 |
| Average (mean) | $147,420 | $70.88 |
Half of chemical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,182.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,591.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,084.23 |
| Weekly | $3,042.12 |
| Hourly | $76.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Engineer salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $163,380 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $165,350 | $79.50 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $157,710 | $75.82 |
| Electrical Engineer | $158,520 | $76.21 |
| Engineers, All Other | $162,070 | $77.92 |
| Civil Engineer | $103,900 | $49.95 |
| Industrial Engineer | $128,090 | $61.58 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,850 | $63.87 |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,360 | $52.10 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $164,300 | $78.99 |
| Materials Engineer | $165,600 | $79.61 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $94,640 | $45.50 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $101,750 | $48.92 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make in New Mexico?
The median salary for chemical engineers in New Mexico is $158,190 a year, or $76.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in New Mexico earn at least $205,360 a year. The top 25% earn $189,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,540 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $110,420 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in New Mexico?
About 160 chemical engineers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.