Engineering Santa Fe, NM Pop. 87,505

Chemical Engineer Salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The median chemical engineer salary in Santa Fe, NM is $116,886 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 18.3% above the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$116,886
vs State Avg
+$18,064
vs National
+$10,626
Cost of Living
110%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Santa Fe: What to Expect (2026)

Santa Fe offers a median chemical engineer salary of $116,886, which is $18,064 above the New Mexico state average of $98,822. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Santa Fe pays above average for this role.

Santa Fe's cost of living is 110% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Santa Fe spans from $74,800 at the 10th percentile to $189,200 at the 90th percentile — a $114,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $178,200. Santa Fe is a smaller market (pop. 87,505), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Santa Fe by Experience

In Santa Fe, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $77,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $178,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,000
+$7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$118,800
+$10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$178,200
+$16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Santa Fe, NM

Percentile Santa Fe
10th Percentile $74,800
25th Percentile $92,400
Median (50th) $116,886
75th Percentile $151,800
90th Percentile $189,200

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Albuquerque, NM
$100,947
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$97,759
Pop. 104,046
Las Cruces, NM
$93,509
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$87,133
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Santa Fe

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Santa Fe and the surrounding New Mexico area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Santa Fe may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Santa Fe

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Santa Fe, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Santa Fe

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico is $116,886 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $74,800 (10th percentile) to $189,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Santa Fe? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $116,886, a chemical engineer in Santa Fe earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Santa Fe compare to the New Mexico state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Santa Fe's median chemical engineer salary of $116,886 is 18.3% above the New Mexico state average of $98,822. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
Santa Fe has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $116,886 in Santa Fe has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Santa Fe? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Santa Fe require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.