OR New Mexico High Demand

OR Travel Nurse Salary in New Mexico

Calculate your take-home pay as a Operating Room travel nurse in New Mexico. OR travel nurses assist in surgical procedures, managing sterile fields, instruments, and patient care during operations.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$52/hr

OR in NM

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,061

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$107,162

Working full-time

#27

New Mexico OR Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for OR travel nurse compensation

New Mexico's 5.9% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 88.4). OR travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $900/month, leaving an estimated $891/week in stipend profit.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,160

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,544

(After 29.9% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$891/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $65/hr — $13/hr more than New Mexico. Compare →

Calculate Your OR Pay in New Mexico

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Operating Room travel nurse in New Mexico. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for New Mexico ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.9%
Federal: 24%
State: 5.9%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.9% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$76.53

Based on 36 hours in NM.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,755

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,656

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$495

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,260

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$29,378

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$58,756

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$117,513

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,260

per week

Taxes

$495

per week

Total Gross: $2,755 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in New Mexico

$900

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,070

Your stipend covers rent with $2,070 left over each month.

Find apartments under $900/month in Albuquerque:

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Cost of Living Analysis in New Mexico

Monthly Net Income:$9,785
Average 1BR Rent:$900
True Discretionary Income:$8,885

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:88.4

National average = 100. New Mexico's cost of living is lower than the national average by 11.6 points.

💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.

Housing Cost: Low

Utilities: Low

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in New Mexico

OR travel nurses in New Mexico receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$98/night

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,134

Requirements for OR Travel Nurses in New Mexico

OR Certifications

  • BLS
  • 2+ years OR experience
  • CNOR preferred

New Mexico Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in New Mexico

Tax Information

State Income Tax 5.9%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 88.4
vs National Avg 11.599999999999994% lower
Housing Low

Top Hospitals Hiring OR Nurses in New Mexico

  • University of New Mexico Hospital
  • Presbyterian Hospital
  • Lovelace Medical Center

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do OR travel nurses make in New Mexico?

Operating Room travel nurses in New Mexico typically earn between $47 and $64 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $52/hr. This translates to approximately $2,061 per week or $107,162 annually. OR nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a OR travel nurse in New Mexico?

To work as a Operating Room travel nurse in New Mexico, you typically need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. New Mexico is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for OR travel nurses in New Mexico?

The GSA per diem rates for New Mexico are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. OR travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is New Mexico a good state for OR travel nurses?

New Mexico has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. OR nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 88.4 (below national average).

Which cities in New Mexico have the best OR travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Operating Room travel nurse assignments in New Mexico include: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe. Major hospitals like University of New Mexico Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital frequently hire OR travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.