Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in New Mexico
Chemical Plant and System Operators in New Mexico earn a median of $72,610 a year ($34.91 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $70,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,350 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $78,120. New Mexico ranks 15th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. The average (mean) salary is $73,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,190 | $33.74 |
| 25th percentile | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| Median | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| 75th percentile | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,350 | $36.23 |
| Average (mean) | $73,430 | $35.30 |
Half of chemical plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,050.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,025.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,792.69 |
| Weekly | $1,396.35 |
| Hourly | $34.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $97,660 | $46.95 |
| Power Plant Operator | $105,510 | $50.73 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Baker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical plant and system operators make in New Mexico?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in New Mexico is $72,610 a year, or $34.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in New Mexico earn at least $75,350 a year. The top 25% earn $73,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,190 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $72,610 or less.