Registered Nurse Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $89,383 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $89,383/year (≈ $42.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $94,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Los Alamos, NM, can anticipate a projected median annual salary of $89,383 for 2026, indicative of the area's specific healthcare demands and cost of living adjustments. The local salary range extends from $67,998 at the 10th percentile to $120,440 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in experience, specialty certification, and roles within the nursing field. Due to the unique nature of the healthcare market in Los Alamos, those with specialized certifications such as CCRN or CEN tend to receive premium compensation, enhancing their earning potential compared to registered nurses without such credentials. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and illustrate the competitive landscape for healthcare professionals in this region.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,998 | $32.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,383 | $42.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,450 | $48.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,440 | $57.90 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,442 (2026 est.). At $89,383, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $89,383/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $96,945 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -12.99% less |
Registered Nurses in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $89,383 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $96,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $89,383 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,685 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,777
2025 BLS Actual
$84,876
2026 Current Est.
$89,383
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,543 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,956 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,876 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,383 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $63,777 (2019) to $84,876 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,352 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,998 – $76,090 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,090 – $89,383 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,383 – $101,450 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,450 – $120,440 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Los Alamos
The job market for registered nurses in Los Alamos is relatively small, with only six registered nurses currently employed, which may contribute to fluctuations in wage dynamics. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 94.4, this environment suggests that while base salaries may lag compared to the national averages, purchasing power remains manageable for residents. Major employers such as hospital systems, particularly those offering acute care and specialty services, typically provide the highest compensation packages, particularly for shifts requiring additional coverage. Factors that influence pay include shift differentials — which can add $3 to $7 per hour for night shifts and $3 to $5 for weekend work — as well as stipends for specialty certifications and charge nurse responsibilities. To maximize earnings in this local market, registered nurses should consider pursuing those specialty certifications and take on roles in high-demand areas like ICU or emergency departments, as well as exploring travel nursing opportunities that often come with lucrative pay structures.
More salary data for Los Alamos, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $84,876 for registered nursesin the Los Alamos metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Los Alamos 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