Power Plant Operator salary in New Mexico
Power Plant Operators in New Mexico earn a median of $105,510 a year ($50.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,690 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $102,040. New Mexico ranks 18th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.15 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $99,890, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,350 | $22.29 |
| 25th percentile | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Median | $105,510 | $50.73 |
| 75th percentile | $115,910 | $55.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,690 | $58.50 |
| Average (mean) | $99,890 | $48.03 |
Half of power plant operators 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 | $8,792.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,396.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,058.08 |
| Weekly | $2,029.04 |
| Hourly | $50.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces, NM | $57,980 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 |
| Nevada | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 |
| Idaho | $124,440 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 |
| Maryland | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $109,830 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $97,660 | $46.95 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Baker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8013. 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 power plant operator make in New Mexico?
The median salary for power plant operators in New Mexico is $105,510 a year, or $50.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of power plant operators in New Mexico earn at least $121,690 a year. The top 25% earn $115,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,350 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $97,180 or less.
How many power plant operators work in New Mexico?
About 130 power plant operators are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.