Are you considering a civil engineering career in New Mexico, or looking to benchmark your current civil engineering compensation against the local market?
We’ve conducted a comprehensive analysis of 223 civil engineering positions across New Mexico to provide insights into the civil engineering salary landscape. This article details the Civil Engineer Salary in New Mexico and civil engineering wage trends for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the data.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in New Mexico
The median civil engineering salary in New Mexico is $115,000 USD per year or $55.29 USD per hour. This figure reflects the strong demand for civil engineering professionals in a state experiencing significant infrastructure investment and growth. With the civil engineering field expected to grow nationally, New Mexico’s competitive compensation packages position the state well for attracting top talent.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer Pay
Educational Level
| Education Level | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $120,534 | $57.95 |
| Master’s Degree | $106,375 | $51.14 |
| Associate Degree | $105,000 | $50.48 |
Education Requirements Distribution
| Education Level | Number of Positions | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 140 | 70.71% |
| Master’s Degree | 58 | 29.29% |
Here’s where it gets interesting: unlike many engineering fields where advanced degrees command premium salaries, New Mexico’s civil engineering market shows bachelor’s degree holders actually earning more on average than master’s degree holders. This unusual pattern suggests that practical experience and Professional Engineer (PE) licensure may be more valued than advanced academic credentials in the local market.
This trend likely reflects the state’s focus on infrastructure projects that require hands-on engineering expertise rather than research-oriented roles. For civil engineers in New Mexico, obtaining your PE license as soon as possible and getting other certifications in your specialized area can be more impactful than pursuing advanced civil engineering degrees.
Years of Experience
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4.12% | 7 |
| 1 year | 7.06% | 12 |
| 2 years | 4.71% | 8 |
| 3 years | 11.76% | 20 |
| 4 years | 15.88% | 27 |
| 5 years | 29.41% | 50 |
| 6 years | 3.53% | 6 |
| 8 years | 12.35% | 21 |
The data reveals that nearly 30% of civil engineering positions in New Mexico require exactly 5 years of experience, making this a critical career milestone. This concentration suggests that many employers view the 5-year mark as the sweet spot where engineers have developed sufficient practical skills while still being cost-effective hires.
Civil Engineer Salary by Years of Experience
The salary progression shows some intriguing patterns. There’s a significant jump from 2 to 3 years of experience (20% increase), suggesting this is when engineers typically move from junior to intermediate roles. However, the most dramatic increase occurs at the 7-year mark, where civil engineering salaries jump to nearly $147,000 – a pattern that aligns with senior-level responsibilities and potential PE licensure requirements.
Seniority Level
The progression from entry-level to management represents a 67% increase in compensation, highlighting the significant value of leadership capabilities in the civil engineering field. Civil engineers find satisfaction in knowing they’re helping society by solving critical problems and providing safe, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, with tangible results from completed infrastructure projects being particularly rewarding.
What’s particularly notable is the tight clustering of salaries at the senior levels – Manager, Lead, and Senior positions all fall within a narrow $3,000 range. This suggests that technical expertise and project leadership skills are equally valued in New Mexico’s civil engineering market, regardless of official title.
Remote Work
| Work Status | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Remote | $130,000 | 3 |
| Hybrid | $123,313 | 54 |
| Onsite | $115,854 | 166 |
Even in a field traditionally requiring physical presence at project sites, remote and hybrid positions command 12% and 6% salary premiums respectively. While remote positions are limited (only 3 positions), this premium likely reflects the specialized nature of roles that can be performed remotely – typically involving design, planning, or consulting work that requires advanced expertise.
The hybrid model appears to be gaining traction, with 54 positions offering this flexibility. The civil engineering job market continues to evolve in 2025, shaped by infrastructure investments, sustainability goals, and advancements in technology, with the current market offering both promise and competition.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Gallup | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Clovis | $124,258 | $59.74 |
| Albuquerque | $121,150 | $58.24 |
| Las Cruces | $120,465 | $57.92 |
| Los Alamos | $109,248 | $52.52 |
| Santa Fe | $108,613 | $52.22 |
| White Sands | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| Silver City | $101,200 | $48.65 |
| Farmington | $91,500 | $43.99 |
| Carlsbad | $80,609 | $38.75 |
Gallup emerges as the surprising leader in civil engineering wages, offering compensation that’s 13% higher than the state median. This premium likely reflects the city’s position as a regional hub requiring infrastructure expertise, combined with a smaller talent pool driving up competition for qualified engineers.
Albuquerque, as the state’s largest city, offers competitive salaries while providing the most opportunities – the metropolitan area likely accounts for a significant portion of the state’s civil engineering jobs. The geographic salary distribution suggests that smaller cities often need to offer premium compensation to attract talent, while larger metros can rely on opportunity diversity and quality of life factors.
Top Paying Companies in New Mexico
Here are the companies that consistently offer above-average civil engineering salaries in New Mexico, representing some of the highest paying civil engineering jobs in the state:
Highest Paying Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| HDR | $150,176 | $72.20 |
| Arcadis | $146,510 | $70.44 |
| NV5 | $137,500 | $66.11 |
| Jacobs | $137,050 | $65.89 |
| AECOM | $136,250 | $65.51 |
| Stantec | $130,988 | $62.97 |
| Cherokee Federal | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Insight Global | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| City of Clovis | $124,258 | $59.74 |
| Horrocks | $123,825 | $59.53 |
HDR leads the pack with salaries exceeding $150,000, representing a 30% premium over the state median. These top-tier firms – including global players like AECOM, Jacobs, and Arcadis – bring complex, high-value projects to New Mexico that justify premium compensation packages.
The market is led by key players who have significant market share and influence through diversified project portfolios and innovative growth strategies. The presence of federal contractors like Cherokee Federal reflects New Mexico’s significant government infrastructure needs, particularly around military installations and national laboratories.
Interestingly, municipal employers like the City of Clovis offer competitive packages, suggesting that public sector civil engineering roles in New Mexico are well-compensated compared to national trends where private sector typically leads.
How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, here are the key strategies to optimize your civil engineering compensation in New Mexico:
Strategic Career Moves
- Target the 3-Year Experience Mark – The most significant salary jump occurs here, representing the transition from junior to intermediate level
- Pursue PE Licensure Aggressively – Given that bachelor’s degree holders out-earn master’s degree holders, professional certification appears more valuable than advanced education
- Consider Smaller Cities – Gallup and Clovis offer premium compensation packages that may offset lower cost of living
- Explore Federal Contracting – Companies serving government clients often offer the highest compensation
Key Skills to Develop
Technical Competencies:
- Infrastructure Design: Focus on transportation, water systems, and municipal infrastructure
- Software Proficiency: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and specialized modeling software like WaterCAD and StormCAD
- Environmental Systems: Civil engineers who specialize in environmental systems, water resources, or transportation infrastructure are especially in demand as communities invest in long-term resilience
Emerging Specializations:
- Sustainable Infrastructure: The trend toward renewable energy means more civil engineers will be needed to conduct required structural analyses, prepare related permit documents, and enforce government regulations
- Data Analysis: The ability to analyze large datasets and utilize AI for predictive modeling, optimization, and decision-making will be increasingly important
- Smart Infrastructure: Skills in emerging areas such as smart cities technology, autonomous vehicles, and sustainable infrastructure design will be in high demand
Organizational Skills: Developing strong organizational skills is crucial for managing complex projects and teams effectively, which can lead to higher-level positions and increased compensation.
Explore our article detailing the most required Civil Engineering Skills in 2025
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
The civil engineering job market continues to evolve in 2025, with infrastructure investments being one of the biggest drivers of demand. Federal and state funding for bridges, highways, water systems, and public transit is creating a steady stream of opportunities for engineers with experience in design, project management, and construction oversight.
Market Drivers
- Infrastructure Investment: Federal infrastructure investments like the IIJA will likely continue to benefit nonresidential building construction projects, including transportation, manufacturing, and utility facilities
- Aging Infrastructure: Aging infrastructure ensures that civil engineers will be needed and in demand to manage projects to reinforce and rebuild bridges, repair roads, design and build airports and tunnels, and upgrade levees and dams
- Population Growth: Growing populations will necessitate increased maintenance and repair of existing water systems and waste treatment plants, as well as the construction of new and more efficient ones
The outlook for civil engineering salaries in New Mexico remains strong, with specialized skills in sustainability, data analysis, and infrastructure resilience commanding premium compensation.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession offers strong earning potential across New Mexico, with the median civil engineering salary reaching $115,000 USD annually. While a civil engineering degree provides a foundation, relevant work experience and specialization significantly influence salary levels. Location choices and work arrangements have equally important impacts on total compensation.
For civil engineers looking to maximize their earning potential in New Mexico, a strategic approach combining technical skill development, professional certification (particularly PE licensure), and positioning in high-demand specializations is essential. The mandatory nature of a significant part of the work carried out by civil engineers translates into typically long-term job stability, making this an attractive career path with solid compensation growth potential.
Understanding these salary trends and market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive compensation packages and advance your career effectively in New Mexico’s evolving civil engineering landscape.
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