New Mexico Median
$99,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-31% vs US median
US median $144,910
State Rank
#14 of 16
260 employed here
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in New Mexico?
Petroleum Engineers in New Mexico take home a median of $99,900 annually — roughly $48.03 an hour — which runs 31% below the national median of $144,910.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $76,140 while the top 10% make $151,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $93,200 and $127,490 a year.
Petroleum Engineer salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,140 | $36.61 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $93,200 | $44.81 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $99,900 | $48.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $127,490 | $61.29 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,750 | $72.96 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 14th out of 16 states and territories for Petroleum Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Petroleum Engineer salary in other states
Alaska $206,290Utah $172,840Colorado $172,190Texas $164,860Oklahoma $153,020California $143,590Louisiana $139,640Washington $134,800North Dakota $132,120Kansas $115,640Montana $104,060Pennsylvania $101,880Nebraska $100,800Ohio $99,260West Virginia $93,360
Working as a Petroleum Engineer in New Mexico
Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Petroleum Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare New Mexico pay ($99,900) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in New Mexico?
The median Petroleum Engineer salary in New Mexico is $99,900 per year, or about $48.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,140 at the entry level to $151,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Petroleum Engineers about 31% less than the national median of $144,910. New Mexico ranks 14th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Petroleum Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $99,900 a year. About 260 Petroleum Engineers are employed in New Mexico. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Petroleum Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.