SOC 19-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physicists — Las Cruces
Las Cruces, NM · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay in Las Cruces, NM is $112,400 a year, 34.7% under the national median of $172,250 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Las Cruces, NM is $112,400 a year, 34.7% under the national median of $172,250 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $84,990 and $144,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $73,920 and the ninetieth at $168,780.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Albuquerque leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $165,340. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 21st of 274 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,920 | −57.1% |
| 25th | $84,990 | −50.7% |
| Median (50th) | $112,400 | −34.7% |
| 75th | $144,040 | −16.4% |
| 90th | $168,780 | −2.0% |
| Mean | $120,260 | −30.2% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque | $165,340 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Las Cruces run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $112,400 goes as far as $121,909 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 29.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$112,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$121,909US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $112,400 a year, 34.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $73,920 to $168,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Albuquerque, at $165,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physicists in Las Cruces, NM?
The median annual wage is $112,400, or $54.04 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $172,250, so pay in Las Cruces, NM is 34.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Las Cruces, NM earns more than $168,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $73,920 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Albuquerque, at $165,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Las Cruces, NM. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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