How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in New Mexico: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median petroleum engineer salary in New Mexico is $99,900 per year - 31% below the national median of $144,910 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: ABET-accredited bachelor’s in petroleum, mechanical, or chemical engineering.
Petroleum Engineer Salary in New Mexico
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico entry level (10th percentile) | $76,140 |
| New Mexico 25th-75th percentile | $93,200 - $127,490 |
| New Mexico median | $99,900 |
| New Mexico top earners (90th percentile) | $151,750 |
| U.S. median | $144,910 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 260.
The New Mexico Job Market: Petroleum Engineer
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in New Mexico | 260 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.30 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 2.59 |
| Mean annual wage in New Mexico | $110,040 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 2.59, New Mexico employs petroleum engineers at a noticeably higher concentration than the national average: a strong local market for the credential.
Requirements in New Mexico
The education path is national - ABET-accredited bachelor’s in petroleum, mechanical, or chemical engineering - while licensing runs through New Mexico’s own boards: PE license for some roles; not required for most operator jobs. Verify current requirements with the New Mexico licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a Petroleum Engineer.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $81,440 |
| 25th | $106,270 |
| 50th (median) | $144,910 |
| 75th | $197,920 |
| 90th | $253,200 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19,600 |
| 2034 projected | 19,800 |
| Percent change | +1.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a petroleum engineer make in New Mexico?
The median annual wage for petroleum engineers in New Mexico is $99,900 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 31% below the national median of $144,910.
How do I become a petroleum engineer in New Mexico?
The core path is the same nationwide - ABET-accredited bachelor's in petroleum, mechanical, or chemical engineering - with licensing administered at the state level: PE license for some roles; not required for most operator jobs. See the steps below.
How many petroleum engineers work in New Mexico?
BLS counts about 260 petroleum engineers employed in New Mexico (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Petroleum Engineer in Nearby States
- Petroleum Engineer in Montana
- Petroleum Engineer in Nebraska
- Petroleum Engineer in North Dakota
- Petroleum Engineer in Ohio
Related
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171), New Mexico and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |