Physicist salary in Las Cruces, NM
Physicists in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn a median of $112,400 a year ($54.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,780 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 32% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $165,340. There are 0.41 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in Las Cruces, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| 25th percentile | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Median | $112,400 | $54.04 |
| 75th percentile | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,780 | $81.14 |
| Average (mean) | $120,260 | $57.82 |
Half of physicists 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 | $9,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,683.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,323.08 |
| Weekly | $2,161.54 |
| Hourly | $54.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $165,340 | 330 |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Las Cruces, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| School Psychologist | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $65,580 | $31.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Las Cruces, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. 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 physicist make in Las Cruces, NM?
The median salary for physicists in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $112,400 a year, or $54.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Las Cruces, NM?
The top 10% of physicists in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn at least $168,780 a year. The top 25% earn $144,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Las Cruces, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,920 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $84,990 or less.
How many physicists work in Las Cruces, NM?
About 30 physicists are employed in the Las Cruces, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.