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Operating Engineer Salary in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$55,501/ year

Median Operating Engineer in Albuquerque, NM

$33,579
10th
$40,950
25th
$55,501
Median
$71,890
75th
$87,706
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$55,501
Total compensation (est.)
$63,826
Bonus range
$2,250 – $9,480
Mean salary
$58,831

How This Compares

Albuquerque, NM median
$55,501
New Mexico median
$62,210-10.8%
National median
$60,990-9.0%

Cost of living in Albuquerque is 0% below the national average. Salary of $55,501 here is equivalent to $55,501 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$39,961-28.0%
3-5 years
$50,506-9.0%
6-10 years
$62,161+12.0%
10+ years
$76,591+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$48,841-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$55,501
Enterprise (5,000+)
$65,491+18.0%

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Operating Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Las Cruces, NM$60,990/yr
Rio Rancho, NM$60,990/yr
Santa Fe, NM$60,990/yr

Related Jobs in Albuquerque

Electrician$56,047/yr
Plumber$56,011/yr
HVAC Technician$52,143/yr
Carpenter$51,497/yr
Welder$42,779/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$27/hr
Monthly gross$4,625/mo
25th percentile$40,950/yr
75th percentile$71,890/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

New Mexico Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.3%+0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Operating Engineer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Operating Engineer salary in Albuquerque?

The median Operating Engineer salary in Albuquerque is $55,501 per year, with a range from $40,950 at the 25th percentile to $71,890 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Operating Engineer pay in Albuquerque compare to the national average?

Operating Engineer salaries in Albuquerque are 9% below the national median of $60,990. After adjusting for Albuquerque's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $55,501 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Operating Engineer salaries in Albuquerque?

In Albuquerque, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Operating Engineer roles start around $33,579, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $87,706 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Albuquerque a good place for Operating Engineer jobs?

Albuquerque offers a Operating Engineer median of $55,501, which is 9% below the US median of $60,990. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Albuquerque is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Operating Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Operating Engineer in Albuquerque is $71,890, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.