Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in New Mexico
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in New Mexico, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $50.26 | $104,550 | $80.50 | 2,480 | 35th of 51 | -5.0% | 9% below |
| 2 | Boilermaker | $48.66 | $101,200 | $57.47 | 300 | 3rd of 37 | +29.5% | 32% above |
| 3 | Millwright | $43.38 | $90,230 | $49.16 | 60 | 2nd of 48 | +10.7% | 37% above |
| 4 | Lineman | $36.76 | $76,470 | $50.77 | 1,020 | 47th of 51 | -4.2% | 20% below |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $36.12 | $75,130 | $63.10 | 6,790 | 44th of 51 | -0.3% | 6% below |
| 6 | Elevator mechanic | $34.34 | $71,430 | $56.68 | 110 | 35th of 37 | — | 35% below |
| 7 | Crane operator | $30.00 | $62,400 | $39.34 | 290 | 34th of 50 | -19.8% | 8% below |
| 8 | Plumber | $29.54 | $61,440 | $42.16 | 2,830 | 36th of 51 | +5.1% | 4% below |
| 9 | Welder | $28.77 | $59,840 | $44.60 | 2,390 | 16th of 51 | -1.9% | 11% above |
| 10 | Carpenter | $28.71 | $59,720 | $37.40 | 3,630 | 25th of 51 | +21.0% | 1% below |
| 11 | Machinist | $28.58 | $59,440 | $43.35 | 690 | 23rd of 51 | -7.3% | 1% above |
| 12 | Electrician | $28.07 | $58,390 | $41.74 | 5,020 | 46th of 51 | -7.1% | 8% below |
| 13 | Wind turbine technician | $27.51 | $57,230 | $38.17 | 330 | 24th of 25 | — | 11% below |
| 14 | Sheet metal worker | $27.27 | $56,720 | $40.71 | 640 | 37th of 50 | -1.3% | 8% below |
| 15 | Diesel mechanic | $26.88 | $55,910 | $40.03 | 1,740 | 45th of 51 | +1.4% | 9% below |
| 16 | Drywall installer | $25.91 | $53,900 | $37.09 | 580 | 25th of 49 | +19.1% | 9% below |
| 17 | Heavy equipment operator | $25.00 | $52,000 | $33.51 | 5,520 | 38th of 51 | -4.0% | 13% below |
| 18 | HVAC technician | $24.17 | $50,270 | $36.43 | 1,950 | 47th of 51 | -8.8% | 18% below |
| 19 | Cement mason | $23.67 | $49,230 | $33.78 | 1,540 | 40th of 51 | +4.3% | 14% below |
| 20 | Solar installer | $23.31 | $48,490 | $36.23 | 340 | 23rd of 32 | -2.8% | 9% below |
| 21 | Insulation worker | $23.30 | $48,460 | $37.59 | 250 | 28th of 48 | — | 1% below |
| 22 | Glazier | $22.57 | $46,940 | $27.47 | 380 | 44th of 50 | +14.7% | 18% below |
| 23 | Painter | $22.23 | $46,240 | $33.92 | 1,010 | 38th of 51 | +13.2% | 6% below |
| 24 | Plasterer | $21.80 | $45,350 | $29.52 | 460 | 28th of 28 | +14.4% | 21% below |
| 25 | Roofer | $21.78 | $45,300 | $35.51 | 1,160 | 49th of 51 | +1.4% | 18% below |
| 26 | Brickmason | $21.63 | $44,980 | $28.62 | 270 | 49th of 50 | -8.0% | 28% below |
| 27 | Tile setter | $21.42 | $44,550 | $28.72 | 280 | 41st of 47 | -5.5% | 20% below |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $18.46 | $38,400 | $25.76 | 12,470 | 47th of 51 | +3.2% | 19% below |
Most in-demand trades in New Mexico
By the New Mexico labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+55.8%), solar installers (+28.8%), crane operators (+13.8%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,350 a year), construction supervisors (630 a year), electricians (580 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 15,998 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +55.8% | 30 | 180 | $27.51 |
| Solar installer | +28.8% | 30 | 200 | $23.31 |
| Crane operator | +13.8% | 10 | 110 | $30.00 |
| Electrician | +12.7% | 580 | 5,570 | $28.07 |
| Lineman | +12.6% | 100 | 1,130 | $36.76 |
| Construction manager | +11.8% | 250 | 2,780 | $50.26 |
| Tile setter | +10.8% | 20 | 260 | $21.42 |
| Construction laborer | +10.7% | 1,350 | 14,480 | $18.46 |
| HVAC technician | +10.0% | 190 | 1,930 | $24.17 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +8.2% | 480 | 5,180 | $25.00 |
| Construction supervisor | +8.0% | 630 | 7,500 | $36.12 |
| Roofer | +7.8% | 100 | 1,320 | $21.78 |
| Plumber | +6.9% | 290 | 3,160 | $29.54 |
| Carpenter | +6.6% | 350 | 4,380 | $28.71 |
| Plasterer | +6.4% | 30 | 400 | $21.80 |
| Drywall installer | +6.3% | 50 | 600 | $25.91 |
| Welder | +6.1% | 270 | 2,540 | $28.77 |
| Painter | +6.1% | 160 | 1,940 | $22.23 |
| Insulation worker | +5.6% | 20 | 270 | $23.30 |
| Diesel mechanic | +5.4% | 160 | 1,830 | $26.88 |
| Brickmason | +5.1% | 30 | 380 | $21.63 |
| Glazier | +4.5% | 40 | 460 | $22.57 |
| Cement mason | +4.3% | 110 | 1,490 | $23.67 |
| Sheet metal worker | +3.9% | 60 | 700 | $27.27 |
| Machinist | +2.3% | 80 | 830 | $28.58 |
| Millwright | +1.4% | 10 | 70 | $43.38 |
| Boilermaker | -4.8% | 0 | 60 | $48.66 |
Source: New Mexico long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in New Mexico
Prevailing wage in New Mexico
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In New Mexico, 29 of 33 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $53.71/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in New Mexico?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $50.26 an hour in May 2025, followed by boilermakers ($48.66) and millwrights ($43.38).
Which trades are in highest demand in New Mexico?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+55.8%), solar installers (+28.8%), crane operators (+13.8%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,350 a year), construction supervisors (630 a year), electricians (580 a year). The figures come from New Mexico's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does New Mexico compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 4 pay above the national median in New Mexico and 24 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 92.2% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, New Mexico.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).