Backed by a strong oil and gas industry and long supported by federal government labs like Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico has always enjoyed a steady economy that’s ripe with opportunities for paralegals.
Whether you’re working toward a paralegal career in the legal department of a big corporate player like Bradbury Stamm Construction Inc. in Albuquerque or Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Rio Rancho, or you’re interested in climbing the career ladder of one of New Mexico’s big law firms like Rodey Dickason Sloan Akin & Robb PA in Albuquerque or Hinkle Shanor LLP in Roswell, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get your career off the ground in New Mexico.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in New Mexico
As of May 2020, the average paralegal salary in New Mexico was $49,110, or $23.61 per hour. Once you’ve gained significant experience, which includes experience in a specific area of law such as immigration law, litigation, family law, or labor law, you’ll earn a salary that better reflects the top earners here. As of May 2020, the top 10% of paralegals earned about $70,430, or $33.86 per hour – that’s about $21,000 more than the state average.
During this time, there were about 1,470 paralegal jobs in New Mexico. According to the American Bar Association, the number of active lawyers in New Mexico has increased by 5,5% during the last decade (2011-2021), which reveals a strong legal services sector that supports paralegal jobs.
Average Paralegal Salary in New Mexico by City
At the average level, paralegals earned the highest salaries in Santa Fe, yet for the highest earners (top 10%) paralegals in Las Cruces earned far more than their colleagues in other parts of the state
Las Cruces is a state leader in the pharmaceutical industry, home to companies like Kemtek Pharmaceuticals, Elixer International, Pecos Valley Pharmaceuticals, and the McKesson Corporation.
Santa Fe’s economy is largely supported by the nearby Los Alamos National Laboratory, a major employer in the region.
Albuquerque is a state leader in the aerospace industry, home to companies like UTC Aerospace Systems, Eclipse Aerospace, and Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation.
Albuquerque:
Average – $48,760 ($23.44 hourly)
Top 10% – $69,770 ($33.54 hourly)
Las Cruces:
Average – $45,080 ($21.68 hourly)
Top 10% – $87,120 ($41.89 hourly)
Santa Fe:
Average – $50,740 ($24.40 hourly)
Top 10% – $61,800 ($29.71 hourly)
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.