Construction & Real Estate Rio Rancho, NM Pop. 104,046

Architect Salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

The median architect salary in Rio Rancho, NM is $76,213 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 1.1% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$76,213
vs State Avg
$-828
vs National
$-6,627
Cost of Living
92%

Architect Pay in Rio Rancho: What to Expect (2026)

Rio Rancho offers a median architect salary of $76,213, which is $828 below the New Mexico state average of $77,041. Compared to the national median of $82,840, 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 architects in Rio Rancho spans from $46,000 at the 10th percentile to $136,160 at the 90th percentile — a $90,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $47,840, while senior architects with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $128,800. With a population of 104,046, Rio Rancho is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Architect Salary in Rio Rancho by Experience

In Rio Rancho, an entry-level architect earns around $47,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $128,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,840
$-4,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$78,200
$-6,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$128,800
$-11,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rio Rancho, NM

Percentile Rio Rancho
10th Percentile $46,000
25th Percentile $58,880
Median (50th) $76,213
75th Percentile $103,040
90th Percentile $136,160

Architect Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$91,124
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$78,698
Pop. 564,559
Las Cruces, NM
$72,899
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$67,929
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Architect in Rio Rancho

Education

Most architect positions require a bachelor's degree. Rio Rancho and the surrounding New Mexico area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCAD/RevitBuilding DesignBuilding Codes3D ModelingProject ManagementSustainability

Job Outlook

Nationally, architect employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Rio Rancho may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Architect Jobs in Rio Rancho

Browse open architect positions in Rio Rancho, NM:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in Rio Rancho

How much does a Architect make in Rio Rancho, NM? ▼
The median architect salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico is $76,213 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $46,000 (10th percentile) to $136,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in Rio Rancho? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $76,213, a architect in Rio Rancho earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rio Rancho compare to the New Mexico state average for architect pay? ▼
Rio Rancho's median architect salary of $76,213 is 1.1% below the New Mexico state average of $77,041. 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 architect salary of $76,213 in Rio Rancho has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in Rio Rancho? ▼
Most architect positions in Rio Rancho require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD/Revit, Building Design, Building Codes, 3D Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.