Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Santa Fe, NM: $54.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Santa Fe, NM runs $54.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,375 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Santa Fe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.8, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,024 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Fe, NM, civil engineers command a median hourly pay of $54.51, notably outpacing the national median of $49.76. This premium reflects not only the cost of living in the area but also the ongoing demand for civil engineering services stimulated by federal infrastructure initiatives. For part-time professionals, working three days a week could yield substantial returns, especially when utilizing modern tools and technology in consulting firm offices, construction site field offices, or in hybrid arrangements for project plan reviews. Entry-level engineers can expect to earn around $35.75 per hour, while those reaching the top tier of experience could earn as much as $78.93. This data comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, presenting a clear picture of the civil engineer hourly rate in NM.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.75 | $285.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.73 | $349.85 |
| Median (P50) | $54.51 | $436.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.99 | $511.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.93 | $631.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Fe
Based on $54.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.51/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Fe, NM can expect to earn approximately $113,374 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,408. With a cost-of-living index of 98.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Santa Fe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Fe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,180.27 | $9,448 | $113,374 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,308.16 | $5,669 | $68,024 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $872.11 | $3,779 | $45,350 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Santa Fe) | $54.51 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $113,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.55% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 16.00% above the New Mexico state average of $97,737.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.51/hr = $68,024/year (purchasing power: $68,874).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,374/year (purchasing power: $114,789).
CoL index: 98.767 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Santa Fe grew 36.4% from $38.93/hr (2019) to $53.11/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Santa Fe
Analyzing the earning potential, a civil engineer working part-time for 24 hours each week would bring home approximately $67,000 annually, a significant income compared to many other professions. For those opting for per diem work, the pay can reach impressive rates of $100 to $180 per hour, especially for contract roles or such necessities as forensic engineering services where hourly rates soar to $250-$500. Employment in different settings influences pay levels; while larger engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs offer competitive salaries, government positions may provide additional benefits like health insurance that justify a lower hourly rate. Negotiating these terms effectively is crucial, and understanding one’s value—particularly in a city like Santa Fe—can lead to more favorable compensation, be it through direct employment or contractual opportunities.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Santa Fe. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov