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Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors Salary in New Mexico: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors salary really buy you in New Mexico?

New Mexico is 9.0% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$49,170
Median annual (2025)
+9.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$54,032
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.0)

New Mexico Cost of Living Index

New Mexico's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.0, meaning prices are 9.0% lower the national average. A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors earning $49,170 in New Mexico has the equivalent purchasing power of $54,032 in an average-cost US state.

NM: 91.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New Mexico's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $42,070 $46,230 +$4,160
25th Percentile (P25) $42,680 $46,901 +$4,221
Median (P50) $49,170 $54,032 +$4,862
75th Percentile (P75) $67,230 $73,879 +$6,649
90th Percentile (P90) $83,490 $91,747 +$8,257
Key Insight

A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in New Mexico earns $49,170 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $54,032 in an average-cost state. This makes New Mexico one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

New Mexico Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.0

New Mexico's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.0 means a basket of goods and services costs about 9.0% less than the national average. For a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.9%

After applying New Mexico's RPP, the $49,170 median salary translates to $54,033 in real terms — a 9.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#39 / 50

New Mexico ranks #39 of 50 — bottom quartile for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$90,693
RPP 112.5
$80,204
RPP 98.0
$78,607
RPP 97.7
$74,540
RPP 108.8
$73,807
RPP 90.6
$72,926
RPP 89.2
$72,500
RPP 107.6
$71,950
RPP 88.7
$70,400
RPP 92.3
$67,838
RPP 106.4

New Mexico ranks #39 out of 50 states for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors take-home pay in New Mexico after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in New Mexico after cost of living?

A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in New Mexico earns a median salary of $49,170 per year. After adjusting for New Mexico's cost of living (RPP=91.0), the real purchasing power is $54,032 — a +9.9% difference.

Is New Mexico expensive to live in?

New Mexico's cost of living is 9.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New Mexico is 91.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in New Mexico: $49,170 x (100 / 91.0) = $54,032. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in New Mexico financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in New Mexico enjoys 9.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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