Machinist salary in New Mexico
Machinists in New Mexico earn a median of $59,440 a year ($28.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,170 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,750. New Mexico ranks 23rd of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 0.79 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $60,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Median | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| 75th percentile | $72,690 | $34.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,170 | $43.35 |
| Average (mean) | $60,960 | $29.31 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,953.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,476.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,286.15 |
| Weekly | $1,143.08 |
| Hourly | $28.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | $58,460 | 60 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $58,120 | 360 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $45,370 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,430 | $18.96 |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | $53,080 | $25.52 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,340 | $18.91 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in New Mexico?
The median salary for machinists in New Mexico is $59,440 a year, or $28.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of machinists in New Mexico earn at least $90,170 a year. The top 25% earn $72,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,250 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $46,300 or less.
How many machinists work in New Mexico?
About 690 machinists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.