Santa Fe County Living Wage Rising to $15.40

New minimum wage takes effect on March 1 for non-tipped and tipped workers.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The hourly living wage in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, will increase to $15.40 for non-tipped employees and $4.62 for tipped employees, effective March 1, according to the county website. The current living wage rate is $15 for non-tipped employees and $4.50 for tipped employees.

Why it matters

This living wage increase aims to help workers in Santa Fe County afford the basic cost of living, as the cost of housing, food, and other necessities continues to rise. The higher minimum wage applies to businesses with a county license, county contractors, and companies with economic development agreements.

The details

The new living wage rates were approved by the Santa Fe County government and will go into effect on March 1. The increase raises the minimum wage for non-tipped employees by 40 cents to $15.40 per hour, and the minimum wage for tipped employees by 12 cents to $4.62 per hour.

  • The current living wage rate is $15 for non-tipped employees and $4.50 for tipped employees.
  • The new living wage of $15.40 for non-tipped and $4.62 for tipped employees will take effect on March 1, 2026.

The players

Santa Fe County

The local government in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, which sets the living wage requirements for businesses operating within the county.

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The takeaway

This living wage increase in Santa Fe County aims to help workers earn enough to afford the basic cost of living, as the local economy continues to see rising prices for housing, food, and other necessities. The higher minimum wage applies to a wide range of businesses in the county.