Engineering Las Cruces, NM Pop. 111,385

Civil Engineer Salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico

The median civil engineer salary in Las Cruces, NM is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 5.4% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$79,147
vs State Avg
$-4,497
vs National
$-10,793
Cost of Living
88%

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

Las Cruces offers a median civil engineer salary of $79,147, which is $4,497 below the New Mexico state average of $83,644. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 $79,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Las Cruces an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Las Cruces spans from $53,152 at the 10th percentile to $121,968 at the 90th percentile — a $68,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. With a population of 111,385, Las Cruces is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Las Cruces by Experience

In Las Cruces, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Las Cruces, NM

Percentile Las Cruces
10th Percentile $53,152
25th Percentile $64,416
Median (50th) $79,147
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $121,968

Civil Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$98,934
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$85,443
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$82,745
Pop. 104,046
Roswell, NM
$73,751
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Las Cruces

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Las Cruces may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Las Cruces

Browse open civil engineer positions in Las Cruces, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Las Cruces

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $53,152 (10th percentile) to $121,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Las Cruces? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,147, a civil engineer in Las Cruces earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Las Cruces compare to the New Mexico state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Las Cruces's median civil engineer salary of $79,147 is 5.4% below the New Mexico state average of $83,644. 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 civil engineer salary of $79,147 in Las Cruces has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Las Cruces? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Las Cruces require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.