Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Carlsbad, NM: $44.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Carlsbad, NM runs $44.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,949 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Carlsbad's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,173 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carlsbad, NM, registered nurses earn a median hourly pay of $44.21, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.39. This discrepancy highlights the financial implications for those working part-time or as per-diem staff in various clinical settings such as hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. A registered nurse working three 12-hour shifts per week can expect to earn approximately $65,000 yearly, while per-diem nurses often see variable compensation rates ranging from entry-level at $32.37 to more experienced roles earning approximately $59.65 per hour, depending on their specialty and the nature of their practice. As the hourly rates in Carlsbad are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect the broader compensation trends that are affected by local demand and healthcare facility types.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.37 | $258.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.88 | $295.04 |
| Median (P50) | $44.21 | $353.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.85 | $398.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.65 | $477.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carlsbad
Based on $44.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.21/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carlsbad, NM can expect to earn approximately $91,955 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,051. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carlsbad.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carlsbad
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,768.37 | $7,663 | $91,955 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,061.02 | $4,598 | $55,173 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $707.35 | $3,065 | $36,782 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Carlsbad) | $44.21 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $91,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $96,993.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.21/hr = $55,173/year (purchasing power: $58,446).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,955/year (purchasing power: $97,410).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Carlsbad grew 33.1% from $31.54/hr (2019) to $41.98/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.56/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carlsbad metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Carlsbad
For those considering part-time nursing, a 24-hour work week may yield annual earnings significantly lower than that of full-time colleagues. Many per-diem and agency nurses in Carlsbad command rates between $50 and $80 per hour based on their specialties, with travel nurses potentially commanding up to $4,500 per week during contracts, especially in high-demand areas like critical care. The variety of employer types in the region, from acute care hospitals to home health services, affects the rates, with surgical specialty centers and outpatient settings often offering competitive compensation but fewer benefits. Nurses in Carlsbad might find that while some positions offer a higher hourly rate, they trade off benefits like health insurance, making it imperative to weigh the pros and cons during job negotiations. Knowing what local facilities can provide and being prepared to discuss compensation openly can empower registered nurses to advocate effectively for their worth in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Carlsbad. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carlsbad is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov