Engineering Rio Rancho, NM Pop. 104,046

Chemical Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

The median chemical engineer salary in Rio Rancho, NM is $97,759 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 1.1% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$97,759
vs State Avg
$-1,063
vs National
$-8,501
Cost of Living
92%

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

Rio Rancho offers a median chemical engineer salary of $97,759, which is $1,063 below the New Mexico state average of $98,822. Compared to the national median of $106,260, 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 chemical engineers in Rio Rancho spans from $62,560 at the 10th percentile to $158,240 at the 90th percentile — a $95,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,400, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $149,040. With a population of 104,046, Rio Rancho is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho by Experience

In Rio Rancho, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $64,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $149,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,400
$-5,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$99,360
$-8,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$149,040
$-12,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rio Rancho, NM

Percentile Rio Rancho
10th Percentile $62,560
25th Percentile $77,280
Median (50th) $97,759
75th Percentile $126,960
90th Percentile $158,240

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$116,886
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$100,947
Pop. 564,559
Las Cruces, NM
$93,509
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$87,133
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Rio Rancho

Education

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

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rio Rancho may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Rio Rancho

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Rio Rancho, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Rio Rancho, NM? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico is $97,759 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $62,560 (10th percentile) to $158,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Rio Rancho? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,759, a chemical engineer in Rio Rancho earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rio Rancho compare to the New Mexico state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Rio Rancho's median chemical engineer salary of $97,759 is 1.1% below the New Mexico state average of $98,822. 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 chemical engineer salary of $97,759 in Rio Rancho has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Rio Rancho? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Rio Rancho require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.