Nuclear Engineer salary in New Mexico
Nuclear Engineers in New Mexico earn a median of $164,300 a year ($78.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $126,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $242,730 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $133,970. New Mexico ranks 3rd of 19 states for nuclear engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.58 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $180,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $126,780 | $60.95 |
| 25th percentile | $134,370 | $64.60 |
| Median | $164,300 | $78.99 |
| 75th percentile | $199,020 | $95.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $242,730 | $116.70 |
| Average (mean) | $180,290 | $86.68 |
Half of nuclear 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 | $13,691.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,845.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,319.23 |
| Weekly | $3,159.62 |
| Hourly | $78.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for nuclear engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $172,400 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 |
| Maryland | $157,960 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 |
| New York | $141,200 |
| Florida | $135,400 |
| Illinois | $134,510 |
| Idaho | $133,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 |
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 |
| Materials Engineer | $165,600 | $79.61 |
| 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 17-2161. 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 nuclear engineer make in New Mexico?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in New Mexico is $164,300 a year, or $78.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $126,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $242,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in New Mexico earn at least $242,730 a year. The top 25% earn $199,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $126,780 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $134,370 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in New Mexico?
About 500 nuclear engineers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.