SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — New Mexico
New Mexico · 4 metro areas compared
In New Mexico the median wage is $48,190.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In New Mexico the median wage is $48,190. That is 19.7% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay ranges from under $36,110 at the tenth percentile to more than $80,090 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,270 to $62,190.
The area has 2,110 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.93 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. New Mexico ranks number 43rd out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Santa Fe records the highest median at $69,870. Of the 634 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 406th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,110 | −39.8% |
| 25th | $38,270 | −36.2% |
| Median (50th) | $48,190 | −19.7% |
| 75th | $62,190 | +3.6% |
| 90th | $80,090 | +33.4% |
| Mean | $53,870 | −10.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $69,870 | 240 | |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $48,190 | 700 | |
| 3 | Farmington | $48,080 | 200 | |
| 4 | Las Cruces | $47,350 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $48,190 goes as far as $52,267 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,267US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,190 a year, 19.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,110 to $80,090 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,110 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 43rd of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Fe, at $69,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Mexico?
The median annual wage is $48,190, or $23.17 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 $60,020, so pay in New Mexico is 19.7% 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 $80,090 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,110 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 $69,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,110 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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