How Much Does an RN Make in New Mexico in 2026?

A typical RN in New Mexico earns about $45.36 per hour, or $94,340 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $7,862 a month and $1,814 a week. These figures reflect the midpoint of pay for RNs working across the state, from Santa Fe to Farmington.

That figure sits 3% below the national typical pay of $97,550 a year, or $46.90 an hour, placing New Mexico 24th among the 51 states ranked. Roughly 17,980 RNs work across the state, a workforce large enough to shape pay data at the city level as well as the state level. Lower pay in New Mexico than the national figure often lines up with a lower cost of living in much of the state.

Entry-level positions in New Mexico typically offer around $35.72 an hour, or about $74,300 a year, for RNs just starting out. Pay tends to rise from there as nurses gain experience and take on more responsibility. Within a few years, many reach the typical pay level of $45.36 an hour, or $94,340 a year, for the state.

Experienced RNs in New Mexico often earn upwards of $59.39 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $123,540 a year. That puts the spread between entry-level and top pay at $49,240 a year. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual nurse's pay falls within that range.

New Mexico RN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $64,710 in 2015 to $94,340 in 2025, according to government wage data. That's a gain of $29,630, or 46%, over ten years. Pay rose in nearly every year of that span, with the largest single-year jump coming between 2024 and 2025.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, putting New Mexico's growth almost exactly in line with the rest of the country. For someone starting an RN career in New Mexico now, that decade of data shows pay has moved up steadily, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed. Past growth reflects what happened, not a promise of what comes next.

Santa Fe pays RNs the most in New Mexico, with typical pay of $100,790 a year, or $48.46 an hour. That's about 7% above the statewide figure of $94,340. Albuquerque, the state's largest metro area for nursing jobs, follows close behind at $96,040 a year, or $46.17 an hour.

Farmington pays the least among New Mexico's largest cities, at $39.94 an hour, or $83,070 a year, putting the city spread at $17,720 a year. Albuquerque employs the most RNs in the state, with about 10,290 working there, though its pay sits close to the statewide figure rather than at the top. These figures cover each city's full metro area; higher pay in Santa Fe often tracks a higher cost of living.

New Mexico's neighboring states mostly pay RNs more. Colorado leads at $100,260 a year (about 6% higher), followed by Arizona at $99,500 (5% higher) and Texas at $95,970 (2% higher). Oklahoma is the exception, at $82,920 a year, about 12% lower than New Mexico. Nursing licenses can often be transferred or endorsed from one state to a neighboring one, simplifying a move across state lines.

RNs in New Mexico typically earn $94,340 a year, or $45.36 an hour, up 46% over the past decade from $64,710 in 2015. Pay varies by city, from $100,790 in Santa Fe to $83,070 in Farmington, and by experience, from entry-level to the top 10% of earners. For licensing requirements, check New Mexico's state nursing board or registry page; for local figures, see the city-specific pages for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Farmington.