Engineering Santa Fe, NM Pop. 87,505

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The median nuclear engineer salary in Santa Fe, NM is $132,418 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 18.3% above the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$132,418
vs State Avg
+$20,465
vs National
+$12,038
Cost of Living
110%

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

Santa Fe offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $132,418, which is $20,465 above the New Mexico state average of $111,953. Compared to the national median of $120,380, 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 nuclear engineers in Santa Fe spans from $83,600 at the 10th percentile to $195,800 at the 90th percentile — a $112,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $85,800, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $189,200. Santa Fe is a smaller market (pop. 87,505), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Santa Fe by Experience

In Santa Fe, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $85,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $189,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$85,800
+$7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$134,200
+$12,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$189,200
+$17,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Santa Fe, NM

Percentile Santa Fe
10th Percentile $83,600
25th Percentile $105,600
Median (50th) $132,418
75th Percentile $162,800
90th Percentile $195,800

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Albuquerque, NM
$114,361
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$110,750
Pop. 104,046
Las Cruces, NM
$105,934
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$98,712
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Santa Fe

Education

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

Key Skills

Nuclear PhysicsReactor DesignSafety AnalysisRadiation ProtectionMATLABRegulatory Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, nuclear engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Santa Fe may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Santa Fe

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Santa Fe, NM:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Santa Fe

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico is $132,418 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $83,600 (10th percentile) to $195,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Santa Fe? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $132,418, a nuclear engineer in Santa Fe earns approximately $64 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Santa Fe compare to the New Mexico state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Santa Fe's median nuclear engineer salary of $132,418 is 18.3% above the New Mexico state average of $111,953. 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 nuclear engineer salary of $132,418 in Santa Fe has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Santa Fe? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Santa Fe require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Nuclear Physics, Reactor Design, Safety Analysis, Radiation Protection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.