Engineering Las Cruces, NM Pop. 111,385

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico

The median petroleum engineer salary in Las Cruces, NM is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 5.4% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$115,984
vs State Avg
$-6,590
vs National
$-15,816
Cost of Living
88%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Las Cruces: What to Expect (2026)

Las Cruces offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984, which is $6,590 below the New Mexico state average of $122,574. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Las Cruces pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Las Cruces's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $115,984 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Las Cruces an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Las Cruces spans from $70,400 at the 10th percentile to $177,760 at the 90th percentile — a $107,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $171,600. With a population of 111,385, Las Cruces is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Las Cruces by Experience

In Las Cruces, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $171,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-10,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,920
$-16,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$171,600
$-23,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Las Cruces, NM

Percentile Las Cruces
10th Percentile $70,400
25th Percentile $89,760
Median (50th) $115,984
75th Percentile $147,840
90th Percentile $177,760

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$144,980
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$125,210
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$121,256
Pop. 104,046
Roswell, NM
$108,076
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Las Cruces

Education

Most petroleum engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Las Cruces and the surrounding New Mexico area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Las Cruces

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Las Cruces, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Las Cruces

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $70,400 (10th percentile) to $177,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Las Cruces? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,984, a petroleum engineer in Las Cruces earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Las Cruces compare to the New Mexico state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Las Cruces's median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 is 5.4% below the New Mexico state average of $122,574. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
Las Cruces has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 in Las Cruces has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Las Cruces? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Las Cruces require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.