Secondary School Teachers in New Mexico. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Secondary school teachers in New Mexico earned a median annual wage of $66,960 in 2024, about 7% below the national median of $72,150. That gap is real, but it narrows once you factor in local costs.
New Mexico's cost-of-living index sits at 93.2, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 7% below the national baseline. In purchasing terms, the $66,960 median translates to closer to $71,900 in national-dollar equivalents. That puts New Mexico teachers nearly at parity with their peers across the country once you account for what the money actually buys.
The spread between lower and higher earners is worth noting. Teachers at the 10th percentile earned $52,190, while those at the 90th percentile earned $87,240. The top earners make about 1.7 times what the lowest earners make, a range that reflects differences in subject area, certifications, years of service, and school district. With 6,810 positions recorded statewide, the occupation has a substantial footprint in the state's public sector.
BLS projects this occupation to decline by 1.6% in New Mexico between 2024 and 2034. That puts it in the decline category, which is the weakest of BLS's outlook designations. Whether that reflects enrollment trends, demographic shifts, or budget pressures in the state's school districts, the data does not say. What it does say is that the field is not growing here over the coming decade.
Salary distribution
Where New Mexico secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $63,190 and $79,550, with a median of $75,900.
Secondary School Teachers in New Mexico: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 90 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $62,807. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 14 | $56,934 |
| Level II — qualified | 15 | $68,409 |
| Level III — experienced | 7 | $67,970 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 21 | $72,710 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in New Mexico. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Achievement and Success Charter School | Secondary School Teacher | 27 | $72,710 |
| Grants / Cibola County Schools | Public School Teacher | 9 | $53,000 |
| Hobbs Municipal Schools | Public School Teacher | 8 | $61,512 |
| Espanola Public Schools | Middle School Language Arts | 5 | $52,500 |
| Albuquerque School of Excellence | Secondary Science Teacher | 4 | $80,388 |
| Bernalillo Public Schools | Math Interventionist | 4 | $80,752 |
| Jemez Valley Public Schools | Secondary Math Teacher | 4 | $85,000 |
| Santa Fe Public Schools | Bilingual High School Teacher - Spanish for Native Speakers | 4 | $50,000 |
| Central Consolidated School District | Teacher, Band Middle School | 3 | $54,000 |
| McCurdy Charter School | Secondary Science Teacher | 2 | $72,550 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Secondary Science Teacher at McCurdy Charter School$78,100EspanolaWage Level IIDecided Mar 23, 2026I-200-26075-705131
- Public School Teacher at Hobbs Municipal Schools$63,024HobbsWage Level IIDecided Mar 12, 2026I-200-26064-683989
- Teacher - Spanish at Santa Fe Public Schools$55,000Santa FeDecided Mar 6, 2026I-200-26058-669771
- Public School Teacher at Grants / Cibola County Schools$55,000GrantsDecided Mar 4, 2026I-200-26056-665123
- Public School Teacher at Grants / Cibola County Schools$55,000GrantsDecided Feb 19, 2026I-200-26043-635525
- Secondary School Teacher at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School$73,350AlbuquerqueWage Level IVDecided Feb 17, 2026I-200-26040-628626
- TEACHER at CLAYTON MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS$81,986CLAYTONWage Level IIDecided Feb 17, 2026I-200-26040-627649
- Secondary School Teacher at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School$73,350AlbuquerqueWage Level IVDecided Feb 17, 2026I-200-26040-628601
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in New Mexico
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Secondary School Teachers specialties in New Mexico
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 68 certified offers. The most common variant is Secondary School Teacher at a median of $72,710.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | Mission Achievement and Success Charter School | 28 | $72,710 |
| Public School Teacher | Grants / Cibola County Schools | 22 | $55,000 |
| Teacher | Central Consolidated School District | 6 | $57,074 |
| High School Math Teacher | Des Moines Municipal Schools | 4 | $55,997 |
| High School Teacher | Espanola Public Schools | 4 | $53,035 |
| Secondary Science Teacher | Albuquerque School of Excellence | 4 | $76,283 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in New Mexico over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in New Mexico?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in New Mexico is $75,900.
- How does New Mexico compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The New Mexico median is +1.8% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in New Mexico?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $59,330 and the 90th-percentile at $84,170, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.