Lawyer salary in New Mexico
Lawyers in New Mexico earn a median of $119,680 a year ($57.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $232,890 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $159,670. New Mexico ranks 37th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 3.9 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $138,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| 25th percentile | $95,910 | $46.11 |
| Median | $119,680 | $57.54 |
| 75th percentile | $157,870 | $75.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $232,890 | $111.97 |
| Average (mean) | $138,250 | $66.47 |
Half of lawyers 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 | $9,973.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,986.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,603.08 |
| Weekly | $2,301.54 |
| Hourly | $57.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $122,430 | 530 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $114,610 | 1,960 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $110,140 | 190 |
| Farmington, NM | $108,090 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $205,400 | $98.75 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $110,180 | $52.97 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $57,940 | $27.85 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $57,780 | $27.78 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. 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 lawyer make in New Mexico?
The median salary for lawyers in New Mexico is $119,680 a year, or $57.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $232,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of lawyers in New Mexico earn at least $232,890 a year. The top 25% earn $157,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,100 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $95,910 or less.
How many lawyers work in New Mexico?
About 3,380 lawyers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.