Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in New Mexico
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,800
- 25th Percentile — Junior$47,470
- 50th Percentile — Median$52,000
- 75th Percentile — Senior$60,090
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$69,690
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in New Mexico earn more than $52,000. The top 10% make $69,690 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,800.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in New Mexico: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Mexico ranks 41st of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $54,810 per year (17.3% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 5,520 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in New Mexico — 1.2% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 2.06: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in New Mexico than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,800; the top 10% earn over $69,690.
- Hourly equivalent: $26.35 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in New Mexico, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($80,930).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in New Mexico
Key factors affecting compensation
New Mexico's key industries are Government, Energy, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $54,810 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Mexico salary of $54,810 is roughly equivalent to $62,284 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maine ($58,230), Kansas ($57,540), Louisiana ($55,380) are the closest alternatives for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in New Mexico
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $80,930/yr New Mexico +47.7% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $70,180/yr New Mexico +28.0% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $61,790/yr New Mexico +12.7% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $59,950/yr New Mexico +9.4% vs this role
- Electricians $59,620/yr New Mexico +8.8% vs this role
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers $59,100/yr New Mexico +7.8% vs this role
- Carpenters $57,430/yr New Mexico +4.8% vs this role
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers $57,140/yr New Mexico +4.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in New Mexico?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in New Mexico is $54,810 per year (median $52,000), which is 17.3% below the national average of $66,290.
How does New Mexico rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
New Mexico ranks 41st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($102,020/yr).
How much do entry-level Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make in New Mexico?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in New Mexico earn about $44,800 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,470.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in New Mexico?
About $26.35 per hour, based on the $54,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in New Mexico?
BLS counts 5,520 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in New Mexico (OEWS May 2025).
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