Social Worker Salary in New Mexico
Based on 800+ workers in New Mexico
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NM)
$65,640
$31.56/hr
vs National Average
$57,161
+14.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$37K – $114K
800 employed in New Mexico
Salary Distribution — Social Worker in New Mexico
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,700 |
| 25th percentile | $44,860 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $65,640 |
| 75th percentile | $86,150 |
| 90th percentile | $114,170 |
Top-Paying Industries for Social Worker (U.S.)
Which industries pay Social Workers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Social Workers in New Mexico tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $94,250 | 550 |
| Educational Services | $72,880 | 2K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $68,600 | 20K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $65,990 | 2K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $59,270 | 104K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Social Worker in New Mexico vs National
| Year | Median Salary (New Mexico) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $52,330 |
| 2023 | $55,380 |
| 2024 | $65,600 |
| 2025 | $65,640 |
| 2026 (projected) | $65,680 |
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 | $52,330 | $50,498 |
| 2023 | $55,380 | $53,608 |
| 2024 | $65,600 | $56,931 |
| 2025 | $65,640 | $57,161 |
| 2026 (projected) | $65,680 | $57,196 |
Social Worker Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $44,860 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $65,640 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $86,150 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $114,170 |
Social Worker Salary in Other States
Related Social Worker Salaries in New Mexico
How other high-demand occupations in New Mexico compare to Social Worker ($65,640 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Social Worker | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physician in NM | $405,130 | +517.2% | $194.77/hr |
| Anesthesiologist in NM | $393,970 | +500.2% | $189.41/hr |
| Surgeon in NM | $363,940 | +454.4% | $174.97/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in NM | $259,990 | +296.1% | $125.00/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in NM | $228,040 | +247.4% | $109.63/hr |
| Psychiatrist in NM | $227,730 | +246.9% | $109.49/hr |
| Podiatrist in NM | $202,690 | +208.8% | $97.45/hr |
| Pediatrician in NM | $202,390 | +208.3% | $97.30/hr |
| Dentist in NM | $155,260 | +136.5% | $74.64/hr |
| Pharmacist in NM | $147,000 | +123.9% | $70.67/hr |
| Optometrist in NM | $144,660 | +120.4% | $69.55/hr |
| Physician Assistant in NM | $139,920 | +113.2% | $67.27/hr |