BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Mexico

$61,530 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$29.58 per hour

▼ 11.7% below U.S. average34th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$61,530per year
Median$59,840per year
Hourly$29.58per hour
10th – 90th percentile$43,660 – $80,490per year

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in New Mexico

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,660
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$48,130
  • 50th Percentile — Median$59,840
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$72,520
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$80,490

Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Mexico earn more than $59,840. The top 10% make $80,490 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,660.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Mexico: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • New Mexico ranks 34th of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $61,530 per year (11.7% below the U.S. average of $69,700).
  • 1,740 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Mexico — 0.4% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.79: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are less concentrated in New Mexico than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,660; the top 10% earn over $80,490.
  • Hourly equivalent: $29.58 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
  • Among legal jobs in New Mexico, Lawyers pays the most ($138,250).

Paralegals and Legal Assistants 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. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $61,530 on average, placing the state 34th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Mexico salary of $61,530 is roughly equivalent to $69,920 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nebraska ($63,480), Florida ($63,250), South Dakota ($62,260) are the closest alternatives for Paralegals and Legal Assistants weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in New Mexico?

The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in New Mexico is $61,530 per year (median $59,840), which is 11.7% below the national average of $69,700.

How does New Mexico rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?

New Mexico ranks 34th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($95,400/yr).

How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in New Mexico?

The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Mexico earn about $43,660 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,130.

How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in New Mexico?

About $29.58 per hour, based on the $61,530 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in New Mexico?

BLS counts 1,740 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in New Mexico (OEWS May 2025).

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