Elementary School Teacher Salary in New Mexico: $75,586 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $75,586/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,070 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Farmington ($76,840), Albuquerque ($75,520), Las Cruces ($74,100).
In New Mexico, the average median salary for elementary school teachers is projected to reach $75,586 in 2026, which is 17.0% higher than the national median of $64,597. This salary variance reflects local economic conditions and the state’s unique cost of living. Farmington offers the highest salaries at $77,593, while Taos presents the lowest at $56,098, highlighting a significant gap of $21,495. Factors such as local funding for education, demand for teachers, and cost of living contribute to this disparity across cities. New Mexico requires teachers to hold specific state licenses, and there are ongoing efforts to address shortages in certain areas, particularly in rural regions. This demand drives salary variances and could signal growth opportunities for educators. The projected annual growth rate for elementary school teaching positions in the state is 0.98%, indicating a steady job market. Other top-paying cities in 2026 include Albuquerque at $76,260, Las Cruces at $74,826, Santa Fe at $74,473, and Rio Rancho at $62,765. These figures suggest that while teaching salaries in New Mexico are competitive relative to national standards, local economic conditions significantly influence earnings across different regions.
New Mexico Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $43,270 (lowest entry-level) to $97,286 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico elementary school teachers earn 17.01% more than the national median (+$10,989/year difference).
New Mexico Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in New Mexico range from $59,426 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,056 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,586. The New Mexico median is $10,989 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $36.34/hr. Approximately 3,842 elementary school teachers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,811
2025 BLS Actual
$74,852
2026 Current Est.
$75,586
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,811 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,203 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,551 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,084 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,599 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,586 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 25.1% from $59,811 (2019) to $74,852 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,516 (27.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Taos | $56,098 |
| Los Alamos | $56,204 |
| Los Lunas | $56,677 |
| Las Vegas | $56,686 |
| Gallup | $56,695 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | $77,593 | 87.707 | $88,468 |
| Las Cruces | $74,826 | 90.212 | $82,945 |
| Albuquerque | $76,260 | 95.546 | $79,815 |
| Santa Fe | $74,473 | 98.767 | $75,403 |
| Rio Rancho | $62,765 | 94.4 | $66,488 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,426 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,586 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,056 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | $77,593 |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $76,260 |
| 3 | Las Cruces | $74,826 |
| 4 | Santa Fe | $74,473 |
| 5 | Rio Rancho | $62,765 |
| 6 | Roswell | $59,820 |
| 7 | Alamogordo | $59,328 |
| 8 | Hobbs | $59,294 |
| 9 | South Valley | $59,053 |
| 10 | Clovis | $57,908 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $57,818 |
| 12 | Deming | $56,897 |
| 13 | Gallup | $56,695 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | $56,686 |
| 15 | Los Lunas | $56,677 |
| 16 | Los Alamos | $56,204 |
| 17 | Taos | $56,098 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new elementary school teachers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in New Mexico?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov