New Mexico Teaching Salaries and Benefits
Every year, millions of Americans put aside money hoping to one day enjoy life after retirement. For many people, this means creating multiple retirement accounts that allow them to save, invest, and prepare for the future.
To assist teachers in whatever retirement path they choose, New Mexico offers a pension program that supplements their other retirement savings. By participating in a program available to all public employees, New Mexico teachers gain a guaranteed source of income after they retire, no matter how much they’ve saved through the years.
In addition to retirement, New Mexico teachers also receive health insurance benefits to help them remain financially secure in the face of rising care costs. The plan provides teachers with medical and dental insurance, allowing them to tailor their insurance to meet the specific needs of their families.
Sponsored School(s)
Learn more about becoming a teacher. Contact schools offering teacher education/certification programs in New Mexico.
Teacher Salaries in New Mexico by Education
As teachers further their educations and gain experience in the field, they receive pay increases that reflect their dedication and hard work. Salaries may vary between school districts, but the following are some examples of the salaries you can expect in New Mexico:
| Experience | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| At 3 years | $40,220 | $40,823 |
| At 6 years | $40,223 | $40,826 |
| At 9 years | $41,025 | $41,641 |
| At 12 years | $41,435 | $42,458 |
Source: Albuquerque Public Schools
Retiring in New Mexico
As a public teacher in the state of New Mexico, you are enrolled in a retirement program through the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (NMERB). This program provides a guaranteed income for teachers once they reach retirement age.
The NMERB provides teachers with a defined retirement benefit plan, meaning you and your employer contribute a percentage of salary, and you receive lifetime benefits based on a preset formula. You will contribute 10.9% of your salary to the plan, while your employer contributes an additional 9.4%.
The amount of your benefit is based on your service credit and earnings, and may be determined by using the following formula:
Final Average Salary
multiplied by
Years of Service
multiplied by
2.35%
For example, if you earned a final average salary of $60,000 and worked for 28 years, your monthly pension amount would be $3,290.
In order to qualify for this pension benefit, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Age 65 or older with at least five years of service credit
- Your age and your service credit equal 75 or more
There are several payment options to choose from when retiring, including a survivor benefits option. To learn more about the choices you have for retirement, contact the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board.
Access to Affordable Health Insurance
Public teachers in New Mexico qualify for medical and dental insurance plans through the New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority. Created in 1986 to serve as a purchasing agent for public school districts, this organization provides affordable health insurance and other benefits to teachers.
Medical Insurance
There are several options for medical insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield and Presbyterian. These plans vary in premium costs, deductibles, and out-of-network expenses. You have the opportunity to compare the costs and coverage of each plan, and choose the insurance that works best for you.
Most plans include a prescription drug program to provide you with affordable prescriptions, as well as a multitude of other medical services, including:
- Physician Visits
- Inpatient and Outpatient Hospital Care
- Urgent Care
- Well Care Visits
- Laboratory Tests
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is offered through United Concordia with a high deductible option and low deductible option. These options differ in price and the services that are covered. However, both plans will cover a percentage of the following services:
- Oral Exams
- Cleaning
- X-Rays
In addition to medical and dental benefits, New Mexico also supplies teachers with vision plan and life insurance options. To find out more about the entire benefits package available to teachers in New Mexico, contact the New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority.
