Chemist salary in New Mexico
Chemists in New Mexico earn a median of $126,960 a year ($61.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,940 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $91,240. New Mexico ranks 4th of 51 states for chemists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.32 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $128,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| 25th percentile | $73,070 | $35.13 |
| Median | $126,960 | $61.04 |
| 75th percentile | $178,480 | $85.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,940 | $102.37 |
| Average (mean) | $128,630 | $61.84 |
Half of chemists 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 | $10,580 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,290 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,883.08 |
| Weekly | $2,441.54 |
| Hourly | $61.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $126,960 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Physicist | $165,340 | $79.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $123,820 | $59.53 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,530 | $42.56 |
| Hydrologist | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $110,070 | $52.92 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| School Psychologist | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,120 | $40.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,800 | $36.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. 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 chemist make in New Mexico?
The median salary for chemists in New Mexico is $126,960 a year, or $61.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of chemists in New Mexico earn at least $212,940 a year. The top 25% earn $178,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,490 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $73,070 or less.
How many chemists work in New Mexico?
About 280 chemists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.