Physicist Salary in New Mexico
Based on 580+ workers in New Mexico
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NM)
$165,340
$79.49/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
+7.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$121K – $235K
580 employed in New Mexico
Salary Distribution — Physicist in New Mexico
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $120,720 |
| 25th percentile | $160,090 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $165,340 |
| 75th percentile | $203,210 |
| 90th percentile | $235,180 |
Top-Paying Industries for Physicist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Physicists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Physicists in New Mexico tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $239,360 | 3K |
| Wholesale Trade | $219,010 | — |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $213,780 | 50 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $210,530 | — |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $176,170 | 10K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Physicist in New Mexico vs National
| Year | Median Salary (New Mexico) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $161,380 |
| 2023 | $171,670 |
| 2024 | $175,960 |
| 2025 | $165,340 |
| 2026 (projected) | $165,340 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | New Mexico Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $161,380 | $140,924 |
| 2023 | $171,670 | $142,089 |
| 2024 | $175,960 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $165,340 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $165,340 | $153,763 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $160,090 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $165,340 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $203,210 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $235,180 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in New Mexico
How other high-demand occupations in New Mexico compare to Physicist ($165,340 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemist in NM | $126,960 | -23.2% | $61.04/hr |
| Psychologist in NM | $124,800 | -24.5% | $60.00/hr |
| Geoscientist in NM | $88,530 | -46.5% | $42.56/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in NM | $86,630 | -47.6% | $41.65/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in NM | $77,710 | -53.0% | $37.36/hr |
| Medical Scientist in NM | $67,100 | -59.4% | $32.26/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in NM | $165,350 | +0.0% | $79.50/hr |
| Materials Engineer in NM | $165,600 | +0.2% | $79.62/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in NM | $165,690 | +0.2% | $79.66/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in NM | $164,300 | -0.6% | $78.99/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in NM | $158,520 | -4.1% | $76.21/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in NM | $158,190 | -4.3% | $76.05/hr |