Nursing Assistant salary in New Mexico
Nursing Assistants in New Mexico earn a median of $39,390 a year ($18.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,340 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $42,260. New Mexico ranks 30th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 5.5 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $41,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| 25th percentile | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Median | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| 75th percentile | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Average (mean) | $41,400 | $19.90 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $3,282.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,641.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,515 |
| Weekly | $757.50 |
| Hourly | $18.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $46,530 | 410 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $39,950 | 2,110 |
| Farmington, NM | $39,390 | 330 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $37,400 | 390 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| Orderly | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,230 | $18.86 |
| Dental Assistant | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Phlebotomist | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,170 | $25.08 |
| Massage Therapist | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,390 | $17.50 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in New Mexico?
The median salary for nursing assistants in New Mexico is $39,390 a year, or $18.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in New Mexico earn at least $48,340 a year. The top 25% earn $45,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,110 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $37,310 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in New Mexico?
About 4,750 nursing assistants are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.