Engineering Las Cruces, NM Pop. 111,385

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico

The median nuclear engineer salary in Las Cruces, NM is $105,934 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 5.4% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$105,934
vs State Avg
$-6,019
vs National
$-14,446
Cost of Living
88%

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

Las Cruces offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934, which is $6,019 below the New Mexico state average of $111,953. Compared to the national median of $120,380, 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 $105,934 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Las Cruces an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Las Cruces spans from $66,880 at the 10th percentile to $156,640 at the 90th percentile — a $89,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,640, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,360. With a population of 111,385, Las Cruces is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Las Cruces by Experience

In Las Cruces, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $68,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,640
$-9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,360
$-14,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,360
$-20,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Las Cruces, NM

Percentile Las Cruces
10th Percentile $66,880
25th Percentile $84,480
Median (50th) $105,934
75th Percentile $130,240
90th Percentile $156,640

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$132,418
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$114,361
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$110,750
Pop. 104,046
Roswell, NM
$98,712
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Las Cruces

Education

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

Key Skills

Nuclear PhysicsReactor DesignSafety AnalysisRadiation ProtectionMATLABRegulatory Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, nuclear engineer 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 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Las Cruces

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Las Cruces, NM:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Las Cruces

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico is $105,934 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $66,880 (10th percentile) to $156,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Las Cruces? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,934, a nuclear engineer in Las Cruces earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Las Cruces compare to the New Mexico state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Las Cruces's median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 is 5.4% below the New Mexico state average of $111,953. 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 nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 in Las Cruces has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Las Cruces? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Las Cruces require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Nuclear Physics, Reactor Design, Safety Analysis, Radiation Protection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.