verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in New Mexico

Median Annual in New Mexico
$52,000/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$25.00/hr
▼ 13% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in New Mexico

groups Employed in NM
5,520
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$56,392 #42 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in New Mexico, explained

Heavy equipment operators in New Mexico earn a median of $52,000 per year ($25.00 per hour), which is 13% below the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $44,800, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $69,690. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within New Mexico.

Is $52,000 good pay in New Mexico?

Adjusted for New Mexico's cost of living (which runs 92% of the U.S. average), that $52,000 is worth about $56,392 in national buying power — ranking New Mexico #42 for real pay (vs #38 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in New Mexico

Entry level (10th pct)
$44,800
$21.54/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$52,000
$25.00/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$69,690
$33.50/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NM
New Mexico (here) $52,000 $56,392
Colorado $62,620 $60,765 −$10,620
Utah $60,740 $61,438 −$8,740
Arizona $60,620 $60,212 −$8,620
Texas $50,460 $51,990 +$1,540
Oklahoma $47,970 $54,609 +$4,030

Heavy Equipment Operator in New Mexico: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in New Mexico?

Heavy equipment operators in New Mexico earn a median of $52,000 per year ($25.00 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does New Mexico pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $52,000, New Mexico pays 13% below the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 5,520 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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