Farmington vs Santa Fe: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)
Compare electrical engineer salaries between Farmington, NM and Santa Fe, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Farmington, NM | Santa Fe, NM |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $116,327 | $119,174▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $55.93 | $57.30▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,329 | $75,084▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $89,061 | $90,411▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $142,940 | $151,841▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $167,746 | $182,428▲ |
| Total Employed | 8 | 20▲ |
Verdict
Santa Fe, NM offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Farmington.
The salary gap between Farmington and Santa Fe is $2,847 (2.45%). Santa Fe's median is -4.69% compared to the US national median of $125,033.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Farmington spans $93,417,Santa Fe spans $107,344. Santa Fe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Fe ($126,244 effective) pays 2.45% more than Farmington ($123,228 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Farmington if…
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Fe if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($119,174/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($182,428)
- ✓Larger job market (20 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $126,244)
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Farmington grew 5.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.7% growth in Santa Fe over the same period.
Farmington, NM
$106,010 (2019) → $112,231 (2025)
Santa Fe, NM
$102,939 (2024) → $114,977 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Farmington, NM
Santa Fe, NM
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays electrical engineers more: Farmington or Santa Fe?
What is the hourly rate difference between Farmington and Santa Fe?
Should I relocate from Farmington to Santa Fe as a electrical engineer?
What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Farmington vs Santa Fe?
Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov