Surgical Technologist Salary in New Mexico: $57,203 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $57,203/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,596 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Las Cruces ($63,053), Rio Rancho ($62,816), Santa Fe ($61,621).
In New Mexico, the projected average median salary for surgical technologists in 2026 is $57,203, which is significantly lower than the national median of $68,141, highlighting a variance of -16.1%. The disparity in earnings across cities is marked; Las Cruces is projected as the highest-paying city at $66,458, while Albuquerque has the lowest at $54,576, creating a salary gap of $11,882. This difference can be attributed to varying demand for healthcare services and the presence of educational institutions in different areas, particularly in cities with larger hospital systems. New Mexico has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence job functions and responsibilities, impacting overall salary levels. Factors driving demand in the state include an aging population and a growing focus on surgical procedures, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.40% for surgical technologist positions. With a total of 498 surgical technologists employed statewide, cities like Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Farmington, and Roswell also show promising salaries: $66,208, $64,949, $63,397, and $63,102, respectively. Overall, the job market for surgical technologists in New Mexico appears stable, with continued growth expected through 2026.
New Mexico Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $43,132 (lowest entry-level) to $101,354 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico surgical technologists earn 16.05% less than the national median ($-10,938/year difference).
New Mexico Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in New Mexico range from $46,228 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $86,016 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $57,203. The New Mexico median is $10,938 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $27.51/hr. Approximately 498 surgical technologists are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,800
2025 BLS Actual
$54,272
2026 Current Est.
$57,203
2019–2027 Growth
+47.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,859 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,938 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,203 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,292 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.0% from $40,800 (2019) to $54,272 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,292 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,492 (47.77%) 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 5.40% 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 |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $54,576 |
| Taos | $59,177 |
| Los Alamos | $59,289 |
| Los Lunas | $59,786 |
| Las Vegas | $59,797 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | $66,458 | 94.4 | $70,400 |
| Rio Rancho | $66,208 | 94.4 | $70,136 |
| Santa Fe | $64,949 | 94.4 | $68,802 |
| Farmington | $63,397 | 94.4 | $67,158 |
| Roswell | $63,102 | 94.4 | $66,845 |
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) | $46,228 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $57,203 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $86,016 |
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 | Las Cruces | $66,458 |
| 2 | Rio Rancho | $66,208 |
| 3 | Santa Fe | $64,949 |
| 4 | Farmington | $63,397 |
| 5 | Roswell | $63,102 |
| 6 | Alamogordo | $62,583 |
| 7 | Hobbs | $62,549 |
| 8 | South Valley | $62,294 |
| 9 | Clovis | $61,086 |
| 10 | Carlsbad | $60,991 |
| 11 | Deming | $60,019 |
| 12 | Gallup | $59,806 |
| 13 | Las Vegas | $59,797 |
| 14 | Los Lunas | $59,786 |
| 15 | Los Alamos | $59,289 |
| 16 | Taos | $59,177 |
| 17 | Albuquerque | $54,576 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in New Mexico?
How many surgical technologists are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.
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 5.40% 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 surgical technologist compensation across New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more surgical technologistscontribute 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 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov