Engineering Las Cruces, NM Pop. 111,385

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico

The median aerospace engineer salary in Las Cruces, NM is $111,654 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 5.4% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$111,654
vs State Avg
$-6,344
vs National
$-15,226
Cost of Living
88%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Las Cruces: What to Expect (2026)

Las Cruces offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $111,654, which is $6,344 below the New Mexico state average of $117,998. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Las Cruces pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Las Cruces's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $111,654 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Las Cruces an attractive option for aerospace engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Las Cruces spans from $68,640 at the 10th percentile to $168,960 at the 90th percentile — a $100,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,400, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. With a population of 111,385, Las Cruces is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Las Cruces by Experience

In Las Cruces, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $70,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,400
$-9,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$112,640
$-15,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Las Cruces, NM

Percentile Las Cruces
10th Percentile $68,640
25th Percentile $88,000
Median (50th) $111,654
75th Percentile $140,800
90th Percentile $168,960

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$139,568
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$120,536
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$116,730
Pop. 104,046
Roswell, NM
$104,042
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Las Cruces

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Las Cruces and the surrounding New Mexico area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Las Cruces may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Las Cruces

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Las Cruces, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Las Cruces

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico is $111,654 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $68,640 (10th percentile) to $168,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Las Cruces? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,654, a aerospace engineer in Las Cruces earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Las Cruces compare to the New Mexico state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Las Cruces's median aerospace engineer salary of $111,654 is 5.4% below the New Mexico state average of $117,998. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
Las Cruces has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $111,654 in Las Cruces has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Las Cruces? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Las Cruces require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.