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State comparison · 2025

Materials Engineers salary: Kentucky vs New Mexico

Occupation

Materials Engineers in New Mexico earn a median of $165,600. In Kentucky, $100,620. After cost-of-living, the gap is 37.9% — not 39.2%.

Nominal pay gap
-39.2%
Kentucky vs New Mexico
COL-adjusted gap
-37.9%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Kentucky

Materials Engineers

Median
$100,620
p25
$96,300
p75
$119,280
p10
$84,610
p90
$132,800
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
90.2
Hiring velocity (180d)
+40%
See full breakdown for Kentucky

New Mexico

Materials Engineers

Median
$165,600
p25
$160,340
p75
$197,900
p10
$126,640
p90
$204,400
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
92.2
Hiring velocity (180d)
+171%
See full breakdown for New Mexico

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.