SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Santa Fe
Santa Fe, NM · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Santa Fe, NM is $69,870 per year, 16.4% above the national median of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Santa Fe, NM is $69,870 per year, 16.4% above the national median of $60,020. Pay ranges from under $41,010 at the tenth percentile to more than $97,200 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $50,800 to $84,360.
The area has 240 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.8 of every thousand jobs. Albuquerque leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,190. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 89th of 254 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,010 | −31.7% |
| 25th | $50,800 | −15.4% |
| Median (50th) | $69,870 | +16.4% |
| 75th | $84,360 | +40.6% |
| 90th | $97,200 | +61.9% |
| Mean | $69,210 | +15.3% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque | $48,190 | 700 | |
| 2 | Farmington | $48,080 | 200 | |
| 3 | Las Cruces | $47,350 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Santa Fe run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $69,870 goes as far as $75,781 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 26.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$69,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$75,781US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $69,870 a year, 16.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,010 to $97,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 240 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Albuquerque, at $48,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Santa Fe, NM?
The median annual wage is $69,870, or $33.59 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 Santa Fe, NM is 16.4% 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 Santa Fe, NM earns more than $97,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,010 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 Albuquerque, at $48,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 240 jobs in this occupation in Santa Fe, 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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