Quick answer: The median plumber in New Mexico earns $29.54/hr — about $61,440 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $88,000+. To hire one, a plumbing business typically bills $65–$90 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what plumbers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how New Mexico compares to other states.
Plumber income in New Mexico (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for New Mexico's ~2,830 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.39 | ~$3,014 | ~$36,171 |
| Median (typical) | $29.54 | ~$5,120 | $61,440 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $42.16 | ~$7,308 | ~$87,693 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a plumber takes home. What a plumbing business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median plumber wage (earned) | ~$30/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $65–$90/hr |
Where New Mexico ranks
New Mexico pays plumbers 4% below the national median, ranking 36th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| New Mexico (36th) | $29.54 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by New Mexico metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $30.72/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $28.56/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Las Cruces | $26.23/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $24.53/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Santa Fe | $24.13/hr | $55–$70/hr |
| Farmington | $23.55/hr | $50–$70/hr |
What common plumbing jobs cost in New Mexico
At New Mexico billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical New Mexico range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $70–$125 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $125–$325 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $125–$300 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $175–$375 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $175–$375 |
| Leak detection & repair | $125–$500 |
| Sump pump replacement | $325–$775 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $125–$325 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,100–$2,400 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $3,500–$10,000+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in New Mexico
Here's how plumber pay lines up against New Mexico's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $29.54/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Carpenter | $28.71/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Electrician | $28.07/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| HVAC technician | $24.17/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Roofer | $21.78/hr | $50–$65/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free plumber estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do plumbers need a license in New Mexico?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See New Mexico contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in New Mexico, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers make in New Mexico?
The median plumber in New Mexico earns about $61,440 a year ($29.54/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level plumbers earn around $36,000 and the most experienced earn $88,000 or more.
Can a plumber make $100,000 a year in New Mexico?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of plumbers in New Mexico earn about $88,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own plumbing business and billing $65–$90/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do plumbers charge per hour in New Mexico?
In 2025, most New Mexico plumbers bill $65–$90 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $30/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do plumbers earn more in New Mexico than nationally?
New Mexico's median plumber wage is about 4% below the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 36th of 51 states.
Which New Mexico city pays plumbers the most?
Albuquerque, at a $30.72/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for plumbers.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.