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Santa Fe, NM – Effective March 1, 2024, the Living Wage in the unincorporated areas of Santa Fe County will increase to $14.60 and the Base Wage for tipped workers will increase to $4.36, Santa Fe County announced today.

Santa Fe County adopted its Living Wage Ordinance in 2014, Ordinance No. 2014-1.  The ordinance, as amended, adopted a Living Wage for specified employees within the unincorporated areas of the County and employees of certain employer’s subject to the ordinance.  It also established a Base Wage that must be paid to employees who customarily and regularly receive more than thirty dollars ($30.00) a month in tips.  The Base Wage for tipped workers is thirty percent of the Living Wage. For tipped workers, the Base Wage plus tips and commissions and additional compensation must be equal to or greater than the Living Wage. 

Beginning March 1, 2015, and each subsequent March 1, the Living Wage and Base Wage are adjusted based on the previous year's increase in the Consumer Price Index for the Western Region for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI increase for 2023 was 4.0%. Consequently, effective March 1, 2024, the Living Wage will increase to $14.60, and the Base Wage for tipped employees will increase to $4.36.

For further information concerning the County’s Living Wage Ordinance, contact Andrew Seeger, Economic Development Specialist at 505-992-6392 or aseeger@santafecountynm.gov or read the ordinance here.

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