How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in New Mexico in 2026?
Typical pay for Rad Techs in New Mexico, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · New Mexico · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical Rad Tech in New Mexico earns about $38.44 per hour ($79,940 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $6,662 a month or $1,537 a week for a full-time schedule.
That figure is essentially in line with the national typical pay of $80,110 a year, placing New Mexico 24th among the 51 states and Washington, D.C., for Rad Tech pay. About 1,150 Rad Techs work in New Mexico, compared with 230,490 nationwide, so the state represents a small share of the profession's national workforce.
Rad Tech pay in New Mexico at a glance
- Rad Techs in New Mexico typically earn $38.44 an hour (about $79,940 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- New Mexico pay is essentially in line with the national figure, ranking 24th among the 51 states and D.C.
- Santa Fe pays the most among New Mexico's reported metro areas, with typical pay of $86,000 a year.
- Entry-level pay starts around $59,560 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $104,120.
- Typical pay in New Mexico has climbed 39% since 2019, up from $57,690 to $79,940 a year.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Rad Tech make in New Mexico?
Rad Tech pay by career stage in New Mexico
| Career stage | New Mexico | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $59,560$28.64 an hour | $55,980$26.91 an hour |
| First years | $65,660$31.57 an hour | $64,810$31.16 an hour |
| Typical Rad Tech | $79,940$38.44 an hour | $80,110$38.52 an hour |
| Experienced | $93,250$44.83 an hour | $98,750$47.47 an hour |
| Top 10% | $104,120$50.06 an hour | $118,660$57.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
Rad Tech pay by experience level in New Mexico
Entry-level positions in New Mexico typically offer around $28.64 an hour, or about $59,560 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $79,940 within the first several years on the job, as new techs gain hands-on experience and additional imaging certifications.
Experienced Rad Techs in New Mexico often earn upwards of $44.83 an hour, or about $93,250 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $104,120 a year, a spread of $44,560 from the entry-level figure. Setting, years of experience, and location within the state all help explain where an individual tech falls in that range.
Rad Tech pay growth in New Mexico
Typical (median) annual wage for Rad Techs in New Mexico · BLS OES May estimates, 2019 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
New Mexico's typical Rad Tech pay rose from $57,690 in 2019 to $79,940 in 2025, a gain of $22,250. That amounts to a 39% increase over six years, according to the same government wage data.
Nationally, typical Rad Tech pay rose 32% over roughly the same period. New Mexico's pay has climbed faster than the national trend. For someone starting out now, that history shows pay in this field has moved up over time, though it offers no guarantee about future increases.
Rad Tech salary by city in New Mexico
Santa Fe pays Rad Techs the most in New Mexico, with typical pay of $86,000 a year ($41.35 an hour), about 8% above the state figure. These figures cover the full Santa Fe metro area. Albuquerque, the state's largest metro, pays close to the state typical figure at $79,940 a year.
Las Cruces pays the least among New Mexico's reported metro areas, at $75,800 a year, or $36.44 an hour. That is a spread of $10,200 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas covered here. Albuquerque, with about 600 Rad Techs, has the largest reported workforce in the state. Pay differences like these often track each area's cost of living.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs New Mexico | Rad Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $86,000 | $41.35 | +8% | 60 |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $79,940 | $38.44 | 0% | 600 |
| 3 | Las Cruces | $75,800 | $36.44 | -5% | 70 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · New Mexico typical pay $79,940
How New Mexico compares with nearby states
New Mexico's neighboring states show a mixed picture. Arizona pays more, at $89,200 a year, about 12% above New Mexico, and Colorado pays $87,760, about 10% higher. Texas pays somewhat less at $78,630, about 2% below New Mexico, and Oklahoma pays least among the group at $74,160, about 7% lower. A Rad Tech license from New Mexico can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.
| State | Typical pay | Vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $79,940 | baseline |
| Arizona | $89,200 | +12% |
| Colorado | $87,760 | +10% |
| Texas | $78,630 | -2% |
| Oklahoma | $74,160 | -7% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical Rad Tech pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is New Mexico a good state for Rad Techs?
Rad Techs in New Mexico earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $79,940 a year, right at the national figure, ranking 24th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in New Mexico, about 1.3 are Rad Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.5. Rad Tech jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Overall, New Mexico is a middle-of-the-table state for Rad Tech pay, close to the national figure.
Summary
Typical Rad Tech pay in New Mexico now stands at $79,940 a year ($38.44 an hour), up from $57,690 in 2019. That is a gain of $22,250, or 39%, over six years. Readers considering this path in New Mexico should check the state licensing or registry page for current requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Rad Tech make in New Mexico?
- A Rad Tech in New Mexico typically earns about $38.44 an hour, or $79,940 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level pay starts closer to $59,560 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $104,120.
- How much does a Rad Tech make an hour in New Mexico?
- Typical hourly pay for a Rad Tech in New Mexico is $38.44, according to May 2025 government wage data. Entry-level pay starts around $28.64 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $50.06 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Rad Tech in New Mexico?
- Entry-level Rad Techs in New Mexico typically start around $28.64 an hour, or about $59,560 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical figure of $79,940 a year within the first several years of experience.
- Which city in New Mexico pays Rad Techs the most?
- Santa Fe pays Rad Techs the most in New Mexico, with typical pay of $86,000 a year, about 8% above the state figure. Albuquerque follows closely at $79,940 a year and has the largest Rad Tech workforce in the state, while Las Cruces pays the least, at $75,800 a year.
- Is Rad Tech pay in New Mexico higher than the national rate?
- New Mexico's typical Rad Tech pay of $79,940 a year is essentially in line with the national figure of $80,110, ranking 24th among the 51 states and Washington, D.C. Pay has also risen faster in New Mexico than nationally over the past six years, up 39% versus 32%.