SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — New Mexico
New Mexico · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Recreation Workers in New Mexico is $31,900 per year, 12.7% below the national median of $36,560.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Recreation Workers in New Mexico is $31,900 per year, 12.7% below the national median of $36,560. Half of workers earn between $26,510 and $40,680. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $26,510 and the ninetieth at $52,960.
The area has 870 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.0 of every thousand jobs. New Mexico ranks number 39th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Santa Fe records the highest median at $39,190. Of the 634 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 601st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,510 | −27.5% |
| 25th | $26,510 | −27.5% |
| Median (50th) | $31,900 | −12.7% |
| 75th | $40,680 | +11.3% |
| 90th | $52,960 | +44.9% |
| Mean | $36,620 | +0.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $39,190 | 40 | |
| 2 | Las Cruces | $39,140 | 50 | |
| 3 | Farmington | $35,780 | 40 | |
| 4 | Albuquerque | $26,510 | 520 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $31,900 goes as far as $34,599 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$31,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,599US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,900 a year, 12.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,510 to $52,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 870 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 39th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Fe, at $39,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in New Mexico?
The median annual wage is $31,900, or $15.34 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 $36,560, so pay in New Mexico is 12.7% 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 New Mexico earns more than $52,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,510 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 Santa Fe, at $39,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 870 jobs in this occupation in New Mexico. 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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