Cost of hiring in Las Cruces, NM
Administrative Assistant is the largest of these 14 jobs in Las Cruces, with about 2,360 people1. Medians run from $33,280 a year for virtual receptionists to $82,110 for project coordinators.
Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Median pay by role in Las Cruces
| Role | Median per year | vs US median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | +2.4% | 130 | |
| Bookkeeper | -12.3% | 580 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -12.4% | 620 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -13.7% | 2,360 | |
| Office Manager | -13.9% | 640 | |
| HR Assistant | -14.8% | 50 | |
| Executive Assistant | -15.3% | 280 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -15.4% | 250 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -15.8% | 540 | |
| Accountant | -19.4% | 480 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -19.4% | 1,480 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -19.4% | 140 | |
| Project Coordinator | -19.8% | 210 | |
| Recruiter | -24.7% | 290 |
The employer pays more than the wage: benefits and payroll taxes other than paid leave are 22.5% of total compensation in US private industry2, so a $41,030 median for administrative assistants, the largest of these jobs here, comes to about $52,942 a year. That is an estimate: benefit levels vary by employer.
Las Cruces against the US
Las Cruces pays above the US median for only one of the 14 roles, paralegals (+2.4%), and below it for 13, furthest for recruiters (-24.7%). The middle gap across all 14 is -15.4%: for most of these roles, hiring costs less here than at the US median. Its best national standing is for paralegals, #58 of 506 areas by median pay; its lowest is for recruiters, #499 of 521.
Compared with the US mix of these jobs, Las Cruces has more administrative assistants (29.3% of these jobs here, against 11.0% nationally) and virtual receptionists (7.7% against 5.9%), and fewer marketing specialists (1.7% against 5.8%) and project coordinators (2.6% against 6.9%). Metro areas in other states with the closest overall pay level, measured the same way, are listed below; Sumter, SC is nearest, at -15.4%.
| Area | Middle gap to the US | Roles with data | Jobs in these roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | -15.3% | 13 | 5,600 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | -15.3% | 17 | 12,130 |
| Las Cruces, NM | -15.4% (this area) | 14 | 8,050 |
| Sumter, SC | -15.4% | 13 | 3,280 |
| Tallahassee, FL | -15.4% | 16 | 20,520 |
| Bowling Green, KY | -15.5% | 15 | 6,960 |
How far pay spreads inside each role
From the 10th to the 90th percentile, sales development representatives in Las Cruces span $31,840–$118,630, the widest band (3.7×); paralegals the narrowest, $49,330–$71,260. Offers cluster nearer the median than nationally for 11 of 14 roles, marketing specialists most ($43,390–$155,480 across the US). Budget from the median for project coordinators, sales development representatives and accountants: a few well-paid jobs lift the average ($94,420 against a $82,110 median for project coordinators).
Las Cruces against New Mexico
Against New Mexico as a whole, Las Cruces pays more for 2 of 14 roles, led by paralegals (+7.6%) and marketing specialists (+2.4%), and less for 12, most of all project coordinators (-23.2%). It has the highest median in New Mexico for paralegals, and the lowest for project coordinators, accountants and executive assistants and 5 more roles.
Other areas in New Mexico
By jobs in these roles, Las Cruces is #4 of 6 areas in New Mexico. The table shows the other 5.
| Area | Jobs in these roles | Roles with data |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 48,070 | 17 |
| Eastern New Mexico (Nonmetro) | 15,000 | 15 |
| Northern New Mexico (Nonmetro) | 8,290 | 15 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 7,600 | 13 |
| Farmington, NM | 4,200 | 14 |
Questions
Which role costs the most to hire in Las Cruces?
Of the 14 roles we track, Project Coordinator: a median of $82,110 a year, about $105,948 with benefits; the lowest is Virtual Receptionist, $33,280.
Is hiring in Las Cruces cheaper than the US median?
For 13 of the 14 roles, yes, most of all recruiters (-24.7%). One pays more than the US median: paralegals (+2.4%).
Sources
2 sources, with links
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-12.