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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Heavy Machine Operator in New Mexico is $42,737 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.
However, a Heavy Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Heavy Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $46,981 | $3,915 | $903 | $23 |
| Average | $42,737 | $3,561 | $822 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,174 | $3,181 | $734 | $18 |
Aerotek - Santa Teresa, NM
Cornerstone Building Brands - Albuquerque, NM
Manpower Albuquerque - Los Lunas, NM
Allegiance Staffing LLC - Santa Teresa, NM
A Heavy Machine Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Heavy Machine Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $38,741 |
| Heavy Mac... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $43,054 |
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $48,851 |
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $52,493 |
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $76,266 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Heavy Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Heavy Machine Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Heavy Machine Operator positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Heavy Machine Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | $55,558 | $27.0 | 30% |
| Insurance | $53,421 | $26.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $51,285 | $25.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $49,148 | $24.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $47,011 | $23.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Heavy Machine Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $46,981 | $3,915 | $903 | $23 |
| Average | $42,737 | $3,561 | $822 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,174 | $3,181 | $734 | $18 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Heavy Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Allegiance Staffing
Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing | Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing - - Responsibilities: Set up and operate hydraulic press brake machines to manufacture metal parts. Read and interpret blueprints, work... more
7 Days Ago
Allegiance Staffing
Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing | Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing - - Responsibilities: Set up and operate shear machines to cut metal materials to specified dimensions and tolerances. Read and interpr... more
7 Days Ago
Allegiance Staffing
Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing | Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing - - Responsibilities: Set up and operate CNC mills, lathes, and other machining equipment. Read and interpret blueprints, engineering d... more
7 Days Ago
Allegiance Staffing LLC
Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing LLC | Santa Teresa, NM
Machine Operator - Press Brake. Location: Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Job Title: Press Brake Operator. Department: Manufacturing / Production. Pay: $20.00 pe... more
10 Days Ago
Allegiance Staffing LLC
Santa Teresa, NM
Allegiance Staffing LLC | Santa Teresa, NM
Machine Operator - Shear. Job Title: Shear Machine Operator. Pay: $19.00 Per Hour. Shift: 2nd Shift 03 pm to 1:30am. Job Summary: The Shear Machine Operato... more
10 Days Ago
ABB Holdings Inc
Albuquerque, NM
ABB Holdings Inc | Albuquerque, NM
ABB Job Opportunity. At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleanerand every person here makes that happen. You'll be empowered to lead, supported to gr... more
9 Days Ago
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