Petroleum Engineer salary in New Mexico
Petroleum Engineers in New Mexico earn a median of $99,900 a year ($48.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,750 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $144,910. New Mexico ranks 14th of 16 states for petroleum engineers pay. There are 0.30 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $110,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,140 | $36.60 |
| 25th percentile | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Median | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| 75th percentile | $127,490 | $61.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,750 | $72.96 |
| Average (mean) | $110,040 | $52.91 |
Half of petroleum engineers 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 | $8,325 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,162.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,842.31 |
| Weekly | $1,921.15 |
| Hourly | $48.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Petroleum Engineer salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | $111,570 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for petroleum engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $206,290 |
| Utah | $172,840 |
| Colorado | $172,190 |
| Texas | $164,860 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 |
| California | $143,590 |
| Louisiana | $139,640 |
| Washington | $134,800 |
| North Dakota | $132,120 |
| Kansas | $115,640 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $165,350 | $79.50 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $157,710 | $75.82 |
| Electrical Engineer | $158,520 | $76.21 |
| Engineers, All Other | $162,070 | $77.92 |
| Civil Engineer | $103,900 | $49.95 |
| Industrial Engineer | $128,090 | $61.58 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,850 | $63.87 |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,360 | $52.10 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $164,300 | $78.99 |
| Materials Engineer | $165,600 | $79.61 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $94,640 | $45.50 |
| Chemical Engineer | $158,190 | $76.05 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $101,750 | $48.92 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2171. 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 petroleum engineer make in New Mexico?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in New Mexico is $99,900 a year, or $48.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in New Mexico earn at least $151,750 a year. The top 25% earn $127,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,140 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $93,200 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in New Mexico?
About 260 petroleum engineers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.