Engineering Rio Rancho, NM Pop. 104,046

Civil Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

The median civil engineer salary in Rio Rancho, NM is $82,745 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 1.1% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$82,745
vs State Avg
$-899
vs National
$-7,195
Cost of Living
92%

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

Rio Rancho offers a median civil engineer salary of $82,745, which is $899 below the New Mexico state average of $83,644. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 civil engineers in Rio Rancho spans from $55,568 at the 10th percentile to $127,512 at the 90th percentile — a $71,944 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,040, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $119,600. With a population of 104,046, Rio Rancho is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho by Experience

In Rio Rancho, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $57,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $119,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,040
$-4,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,800
$-7,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$119,600
$-10,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rio Rancho, NM

Percentile Rio Rancho
10th Percentile $55,568
25th Percentile $67,344
Median (50th) $82,745
75th Percentile $104,880
90th Percentile $127,512

Civil Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$98,934
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$85,443
Pop. 564,559
Las Cruces, NM
$79,147
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$73,751
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Rio Rancho

Education

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

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Rio Rancho

Browse open civil engineer positions in Rio Rancho, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Rio Rancho

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Rio Rancho, NM? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico is $82,745 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $55,568 (10th percentile) to $127,512 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Rio Rancho? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $82,745, a civil engineer in Rio Rancho earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rio Rancho compare to the New Mexico state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Rio Rancho's median civil engineer salary of $82,745 is 1.1% below the New Mexico state average of $83,644. 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 civil engineer salary of $82,745 in Rio Rancho has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Rio Rancho? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Rio Rancho 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.