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

Painter Salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico

The median painter salary in Las Cruces, NM is $39,336 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 5.4% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$39,336
vs State Avg
$-2,235
vs National
$-5,364
Cost of Living
88%

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

Las Cruces offers a median painter salary of $39,336, which is $2,235 below the New Mexico state average of $41,571. Compared to the national median of $44,700, 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 $39,336 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $44,700 in an average-cost city. This makes Las Cruces an attractive option for painters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for painters in Las Cruces spans from $26,400 at the 10th percentile to $61,600 at the 90th percentile — a $35,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,280, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $58,080. With a population of 111,385, Las Cruces is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Painter Salary in Las Cruces by Experience

In Las Cruces, an entry-level painter earns around $27,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $58,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,280
$-3,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$39,600
$-5,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$58,080
$-7,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Las Cruces, NM

Percentile Las Cruces
10th Percentile $26,400
25th Percentile $31,680
Median (50th) $39,336
75th Percentile $50,160
90th Percentile $61,600

Painter Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$49,170
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$42,465
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$41,124
Pop. 104,046
Roswell, NM
$36,654
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Painter in Las Cruces

Education

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

Key Skills

Surface PreparationPaint ApplicationColor MatchingSpray EquipmentSafetyBlueprint Reading

Job Outlook

Nationally, painter 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 Painter Jobs in Las Cruces

Browse open painter positions in Las Cruces, NM:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in Las Cruces

How much does a Painter make in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
The median painter salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico is $39,336 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $26,400 (10th percentile) to $61,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in Las Cruces? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $39,336, a painter in Las Cruces earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Las Cruces compare to the New Mexico state average for painter pay? ▼
Las Cruces's median painter salary of $39,336 is 5.4% below the New Mexico state average of $41,571. 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 painter salary of $39,336 in Las Cruces has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in Las Cruces? ▼
Most painter positions in Las Cruces require a high school diploma. Key skills include Surface Preparation, Paint Application, Color Matching, Spray Equipment. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.