Continuous Mining Machine Operator salary in New Mexico
Continuous Mining Machine Operators in New Mexico earn a median of $48,900 a year ($23.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,850 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $61,810. New Mexico ranks 23rd of 27 states for continuous mining machine operators pay. There are 0.55 continuous mining machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for continuous mining machine operators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| 25th percentile | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| Median | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| 75th percentile | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,850 | $29.73 |
| Average (mean) | $51,030 | $24.53 |
Half of continuous mining machine operators 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 | $4,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,037.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,880.77 |
| Weekly | $940.38 |
| Hourly | $23.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for continuous mining machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $90,820 |
| Nevada | $85,590 |
| Wyoming | $85,260 |
| Colorado | $81,110 |
| West Virginia | $77,570 |
| Illinois | $74,830 |
| Indiana | $71,570 |
| Virginia | $63,480 |
| California | $62,790 |
| Florida | $62,580 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $82,780 | $39.80 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $54,840 | $26.37 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Electrician | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Carpenter | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,440 | $29.54 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5041. 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 continuous mining machine operator make in New Mexico?
The median salary for continuous mining machine operators in New Mexico is $48,900 a year, or $23.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid continuous mining machine operators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of continuous mining machine operators in New Mexico earn at least $61,850 a year. The top 25% earn $59,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for continuous mining machine operators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,630 a year, and a quarter of continuous mining machine operators earn $42,730 or less.
How many continuous mining machine operators work in New Mexico?
About 470 continuous mining machine operators are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.