Lawyer salary in Santa Fe, NM
Lawyers in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median of $122,430 a year ($58.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,210 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 2% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $119,680. There are 8.6 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Santa Fe, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| 25th percentile | $105,980 | $50.95 |
| Median | $122,430 | $58.86 |
| 75th percentile | $142,880 | $68.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,210 | $86.16 |
| Average (mean) | $137,140 | $65.93 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,101.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,708.85 |
| Weekly | $2,354.42 |
| Hourly | $58.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $114,610 | 1,960 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $110,140 | 190 |
| Farmington, NM | $108,090 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Fe, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $63,790 | $30.67 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Santa Fe, NM?
The median salary for lawyers in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $122,430 a year, or $58.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Santa Fe, NM?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn at least $179,210 a year. The top 25% earn $142,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Santa Fe, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,000 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $105,980 or less.
How many lawyers work in Santa Fe, NM?
About 530 lawyers are employed in the Santa Fe, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.