Physicist salary in New Mexico
Physicists in New Mexico earn a median of $165,340 a year ($79.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $120,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $235,180 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $172,250. New Mexico ranks 17th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.67 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $176,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $120,720 | $58.04 |
| 25th percentile | $160,090 | $76.97 |
| Median | $165,340 | $79.49 |
| 75th percentile | $203,210 | $97.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $235,180 | $113.07 |
| Average (mean) | $176,680 | $84.94 |
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 | $13,778.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,889.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,359.23 |
| Weekly | $3,179.62 |
| Hourly | $79.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $165,340 | 330 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $112,400 | 30 |
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 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Chemist | $126,960 | $61.04 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $123,820 | $59.53 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,530 | $42.56 |
| Hydrologist | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $110,070 | $52.92 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| School Psychologist | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,120 | $40.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,800 | $36.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for physicists in New Mexico is $165,340 a year, or $79.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $120,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $235,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of physicists in New Mexico earn at least $235,180 a year. The top 25% earn $203,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $120,720 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $160,090 or less.
How many physicists work in New Mexico?
About 580 physicists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.