Farmington vs Santa Fe: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)
Compare registered nurse 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 | $87,481 | $106,142▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $42.06 | $51.03▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,125 | $78,245▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $80,352 | $85,185▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $104,857 | $138,830▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $121,991 | $138,830▲ |
| Total Employed | 840 | 1,090▲ |
Verdict
Santa Fe, NM offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Farmington.
The salary gap between Farmington and Santa Fe is $18,661 (21.33%). Santa Fe's median is +3.32% compared to the US national median of $102,730.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Farmington spans $52,866,Santa Fe spans $60,585. Santa Fe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced registered nurses.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Fe ($107,467 effective) pays 7.74% more than Farmington ($99,742 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 ($106,142/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($138,830)
- ✓Larger job market (1,090 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,467)
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Farmington grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.9% growth in Santa Fe over the same period.
Farmington, NM
$70,830 (2019) → $83,070 (2025)
Santa Fe, NM
$75,270 (2019) → $100,790 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Farmington, NM
Santa Fe, NM
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays registered nurses more: Farmington or Santa Fe?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% 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 Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov