SOC 47-5013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas — Eastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 1 metro areas compared
In Eastern New Mexico, NM the median wage for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas is $65,190 a year, which is 12.1% higher than the national figure of $58,160.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Eastern New Mexico, NM the median wage for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas is $65,190 a year, which is 12.1% higher than the national figure of $58,160. Half of workers earn between $59,120 and $98,880. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $48,140 and the ninetieth at $104,940.
The area has 1,730 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 37.47 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Farmington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $64,500. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 136th of 370 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,140 | −17.2% |
| 25th | $59,120 | +1.7% |
| Median (50th) | $65,190 | +12.1% |
| 75th | $98,880 | +70.0% |
| 90th | $104,940 | +80.4% |
| Mean | $74,380 | +27.9% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | $64,500 | 590 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $65,190 goes as far as $70,705 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$70,705US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,190 a year, 12.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,140 to $104,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,730 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Farmington, at $64,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas in Eastern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $65,190, or $31.34 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 $58,160, so pay in Eastern New Mexico, NM is 12.1% higher. 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 $104,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,140 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 $64,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,730 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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