Engineering Santa Fe, NM Pop. 87,505

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The median petroleum engineer salary in Santa Fe, NM is $144,980 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 18.3% above the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$144,980
vs State Avg
+$22,406
vs National
+$13,180
Cost of Living
110%

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

Santa Fe offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $144,980, which is $22,406 above the New Mexico state average of $122,574. Compared to the national median of $131,800, 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 petroleum engineers in Santa Fe spans from $88,000 at the 10th percentile to $222,200 at the 90th percentile — a $134,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $92,400, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $214,500. Santa Fe is a smaller market (pop. 87,505), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Santa Fe by Experience

In Santa Fe, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $92,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $214,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$92,400
+$8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$147,400
+$13,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$214,500
+$19,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Santa Fe, NM

Percentile Santa Fe
10th Percentile $88,000
25th Percentile $112,200
Median (50th) $144,980
75th Percentile $184,800
90th Percentile $222,200

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Albuquerque, NM
$125,210
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$121,256
Pop. 104,046
Las Cruces, NM
$115,984
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$108,076
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Santa Fe

Education

Most petroleum engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Santa Fe

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Santa Fe, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Santa Fe

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico is $144,980 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $88,000 (10th percentile) to $222,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Santa Fe? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $144,980, a petroleum engineer in Santa Fe earns approximately $70 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Santa Fe compare to the New Mexico state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Santa Fe's median petroleum engineer salary of $144,980 is 18.3% above the New Mexico state average of $122,574. 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 petroleum engineer salary of $144,980 in Santa Fe has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Santa Fe? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Santa Fe 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.