Oncology Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in New Mexico
In New Mexico, oncology nurses earn more — an estimated $97,310 a year versus $92,670 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $4,640 (roughly 5% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for New Mexico.
Oncology Nurse — New Mexico
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$97,310
-5% vs nationalHourly
$46.78/hr
- Typical range
- $80,130–$112,070
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $137,130
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $68,770
- Newer nurses
Med-Surg Nurse — New Mexico
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$92,670
-5% vs nationalHourly
$44.55/hr
- Typical range
- $76,310–$106,730
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $130,600
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $65,490
- Newer nurses
Why the gap in New Mexico
Oncology and med-surg nurse pay is comparable, as both draw on the same registered-nurse wage base. Oncology certifications such as the OCN and chemotherapy competencies can nudge pay up, but the roles are close; the bigger differences are the patient population and the pace of the work. The New Mexico figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for New Mexico's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Oncology Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.
Oncology Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in New Mexico — FAQ
- Do oncology nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in New Mexico?
- In New Mexico, oncology nurses earn more — an estimated $97,310 a year versus $92,670 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $4,640 (roughly 5% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for New Mexico's local pay level.
- How much is the oncology nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in New Mexico?
- The estimated gap in New Mexico is about $4,640 a year, or roughly 5% more for oncology nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
- Are these New Mexico figures exact?
- No — they're modeled estimates, not verified New Mexico wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for New Mexico's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
New Mexico figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.95×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figures for New Mexico. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.