Trades & Labor Las Cruces, NM Pop. 111,385

Machinist Salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico

The median machinist salary in Las Cruces, NM is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 5.4% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$43,006
vs State Avg
$-2,443
vs National
$-5,864
Cost of Living
88%

Machinist Pay in Las Cruces: What to Expect (2026)

Las Cruces offers a median machinist salary of $43,006, which is $2,443 below the New Mexico state average of $45,449. Compared to the national median of $48,870, 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 $43,006 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Las Cruces an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Las Cruces spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $65,120 at the 90th percentile — a $36,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,920, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,360. With a population of 111,385, Las Cruces is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Las Cruces by Experience

In Las Cruces, an entry-level machinist earns around $29,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,920
$-4,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$44,000
$-6,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$63,360
$-8,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Las Cruces, NM

Percentile Las Cruces
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $34,320
Median (50th) $43,006
75th Percentile $53,680
90th Percentile $65,120

Machinist Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$53,757
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$46,427
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$44,960
Pop. 104,046
Roswell, NM
$40,073
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Machinist in Las Cruces

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Las Cruces and the surrounding New Mexico area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Las Cruces may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Las Cruces

Browse open machinist positions in Las Cruces, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Las Cruces

How much does a Machinist make in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
The median machinist salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $65,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Las Cruces? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $43,006, a machinist in Las Cruces earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Las Cruces compare to the New Mexico state average for machinist pay? ▼
Las Cruces's median machinist salary of $43,006 is 5.4% below the New Mexico state average of $45,449. 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 machinist salary of $43,006 in Las Cruces has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Las Cruces? ▼
Most machinist positions in Las Cruces require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.