Materials Engineer salary in New Mexico
Materials Engineers in New Mexico earn a median of $165,600 a year ($79.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $126,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,400 for the top 10%. That is 47% higher than the national median of $112,860. New Mexico ranks 1st of 45 states for materials engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.52 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $173,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $126,640 | $60.89 |
| 25th percentile | $160,340 | $77.09 |
| Median | $165,600 | $79.61 |
| 75th percentile | $197,900 | $95.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,400 | $98.27 |
| Average (mean) | $173,000 | $83.17 |
Half of materials 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 | $13,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,900 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,369.23 |
| Weekly | $3,184.62 |
| Hourly | $79.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for materials engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $165,600 |
| Maryland | $140,640 |
| Washington | $139,840 |
| Delaware | $131,320 |
| Louisiana | $128,670 |
| California | $128,470 |
| Illinois | $126,620 |
| New York | $125,900 |
| Colorado | $124,030 |
| Alaska | $123,360 |
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 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $94,640 | $45.50 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| Chemical Engineer | $158,190 | $76.05 |
| 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 17-2131. 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 materials engineer make in New Mexico?
The median salary for materials engineers in New Mexico is $165,600 a year, or $79.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $126,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of materials engineers in New Mexico earn at least $204,400 a year. The top 25% earn $197,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $126,640 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $160,340 or less.
How many materials engineers work in New Mexico?
About 450 materials engineers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.