SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Northern New Mexico
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
At $38,780, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, 35.4% beneath the national figure of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $38,780, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, 35.4% beneath the national figure of $60,020. Pay ranges from under $34,860 at the tenth percentile to more than $63,050 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,940 to $54,930.
Employment stands at 260, or 3.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Santa Fe records the highest median at $69,870. Of the 273 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 210th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,860 | −41.9% |
| 25th | $36,940 | −38.5% |
| Median (50th) | $38,780 | −35.4% |
| 75th | $54,930 | −8.5% |
| 90th | $63,050 | +5.0% |
| Mean | $46,590 | −22.4% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $69,870 | 240 | |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $48,190 | 700 | |
| 3 | Farmington | $48,080 | 200 | |
| 4 | Las Cruces | $47,350 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $38,780 goes as far as $42,061 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 29.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,061US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,780 a year, 35.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,860 to $63,050 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Fe, at $69,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Northern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $38,780, or $18.64 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 $60,020, so pay in Northern New Mexico, NM is 35.4% 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 Northern New Mexico, NM earns more than $63,050 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,860 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 Santa Fe, at $69,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Northern 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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