Plumber Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $51,445 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $51,445/year (≈ $24.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $52,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.7% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Santa Fe, NM, can expect a median annual salary of $51,445, considerably lower than the national median of $65,408. The projected salary range for plumbers in the region spans from $37,994 to $80,119, indicating significant variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), and they reflect the growing demand for skilled tradespeople in the area. Factors such as the aging infrastructure and a workforce that is also aging contribute to steady job growth for plumbers in Santa Fe.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,994 | $18.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,445 | $24.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,402 | $31.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,119 | $38.52 |
Median Salary Position
21.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,125 (2026 est.). At $51,445, the local median is 21.35% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Fe Plumber Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $51,445/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $61,758 | -16.70% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -21.35% less |
Plumbers in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $51,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.35% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 16.70% below the New Mexico state average of $61,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 1.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 98.767 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $51,445 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,087 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,740
2025 BLS Actual
$50,180
2026 Current Est.
$51,445
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,445 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,741 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew -6.6% from $53,740 (2019) to $50,180 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,741 by 2027 — a total increase of $-999 (-1.86%) from 2019.
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 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,994 – $40,260 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,260 – $51,445 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,445 – $66,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,402 – $80,119 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Santa Fe
The plumbing job market in Santa Fe is supported by the employment of about 160 plumbers, contributing to a localized economy with a cost of living index of 98.767, which is slightly below the national average. This affordability can enhance purchasing power for those in the trade. Among employers, unionized plumbing contractors generally offer higher wages, with benefits that often include a clear path for advancement through training in specialized skills, such as medical gas installation and backflow prevention. The disparity in earnings within the profession stems from several factors, including union versus non-union wages, the presence of specialties in industrial and residential plumbing, and the experience level of individual plumbers. Self-employed plumbers might see varied income based on market demand and their ability to secure contracts. For those keen on maximizing plumber pay in Santa Fe, developing specialized credentials and pursuing union membership or high-profile contracts can lead to better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,180 for plumbersin the Santa Fe metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov