SOC 17-2171 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Petroleum Engineers — Eastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 1 metro areas compared
At $99,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Petroleum Engineers, 31.1% beneath the national figure of $144,910.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $99,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Petroleum Engineers, 31.1% beneath the national figure of $144,910. Pay ranges from under $76,080 at the tenth percentile to more than $136,110 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $93,200 to $127,500.
Employment stands at 200, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Farmington records the highest median at $111,570. Of the 370 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 42nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,080 | −47.5% |
| 25th | $93,200 | −35.7% |
| Median (50th) | $99,900 | −31.1% |
| 75th | $127,500 | −12.0% |
| 90th | $136,110 | −6.1% |
| Mean | $109,260 | −24.6% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | $111,570 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $99,900 goes as far as $108,351 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$99,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$108,351US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $99,900 a year, 31.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $76,080 to $136,110 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Farmington, at $111,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Petroleum Engineers in Eastern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $99,900, or $48.03 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $144,910, so pay in Eastern New Mexico, NM is 31.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM earns more than $136,110 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $76,080 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Farmington, at $111,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 jobs in this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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