Engineering Rio Rancho, NM Pop. 104,046

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

The median aerospace engineer salary in Rio Rancho, NM is $116,730 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 1.1% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$116,730
vs State Avg
$-1,268
vs National
$-10,150
Cost of Living
92%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Rio Rancho: What to Expect (2026)

Rio Rancho offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $116,730, which is $1,268 below the New Mexico state average of $117,998. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Rio Rancho pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rio Rancho's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Rio Rancho spans from $71,760 at the 10th percentile to $176,640 at the 90th percentile — a $104,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,600, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $170,200. With a population of 104,046, Rio Rancho is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho by Experience

In Rio Rancho, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $73,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,600
$-6,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,760
$-10,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$170,200
$-14,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rio Rancho, NM

Percentile Rio Rancho
10th Percentile $71,760
25th Percentile $92,000
Median (50th) $116,730
75th Percentile $147,200
90th Percentile $176,640

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$139,568
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$120,536
Pop. 564,559
Las Cruces, NM
$111,654
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$104,042
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Rio Rancho

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Rio Rancho

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Rio Rancho, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Rio Rancho, NM? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico is $116,730 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $71,760 (10th percentile) to $176,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Rio Rancho? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $116,730, a aerospace engineer in Rio Rancho earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rio Rancho compare to the New Mexico state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Rio Rancho's median aerospace engineer salary of $116,730 is 1.1% below the New Mexico state average of $117,998. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rio Rancho, NM? ▼
Rio Rancho has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $116,730 in Rio Rancho has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Rio Rancho? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Rio Rancho 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.