Living Wage
Clear requirements for businesses operating in unincorporated Santa Fe County.
Current Living Wage Rates
Effective March 1, 2026
Regular employees
$15.40
per hour
Tipped employees (base wage)
$4.62
per hour (base wage)
Does This Apply to My Business?
The Living Wage Ordinance applies to businesses located in Santa Fe County outside the incorporated boundaries of the City of Santa Fe, City of Española, and the Town of Edgewood.
The ordinance applies to:
- Businesses required by Santa Fe County to have a business license
- Santa Fe County government
- Contractors entering contracts with Santa Fe County for services (including construction)
- Businesses participating in a County economic development project with a project participation agreement
Employees covered: full-time, part-time, temporary, contingent/contracted workers, and workers through temporary services or employment agencies.
Employer Requirements
- Pay employees at least the County Living Wage rate
- Post the Living Wage compliance notice next to the business license (English and Spanish)
- Do not retaliate against an employee for asserting rights under the ordinance
Posting notice: Living Wage Posting Notice for the Amended Ordinance
Note: The posting notice itself is not updated annually; the current rates are maintained on this webpage.
Previous Living Wage Rates
| Year | Wage | Tipped |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $15.40 | $4.62 |
| 2025 | $15.00 | $4.50 |
| 2024 | $14.60 | $4.38 |
| 2023 | $14.03 | $4.21 |
| 2022 | $12.95 | $3.88 |
| 2021 | $12.32 | $3.69 |
| 2020 | $12.10 | $3.62 |
| 2019 | $11.80 | $3.53 |
| 2018 | $11.40 | $3.41 |
| 2017 | $11.09 | $3.32 |
| 2016 | $10.91 | $3.27 |
| 2015 | $10.84 | $3.25 |
| 2014 | $10.66 | $3.20 |
Exempt Employers and Employee Types
- Employees of the United States, State of New Mexico, or political subdivisions other than Santa Fe County
- Volunteers / certain nonprofit, charitable, educational, or religious situations where an employer-employee relationship does not exist
- Registered apprentices recognized by applicable apprenticeship authorities
- G.I. Bill trainees during training
- Seasonal youth camp/retreat employees meeting state exemption requirements
- Immediate family members of the employer
- Student interns working for academic credit
- Court-ordered community service participants
Note: Federal minimum wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act may still apply.
Ordinances and Legal References
- Ordinance 2014-1 (Living Wage Ordinance)
- Ordinance 2014-5 (Amended Ordinance)
- Amended Living Wage Ordinance (Spanish)*
*The adopted ordinance is the English version. The Spanish translation is provided as a courtesy and its accuracy is not certified.
Request an Investigation
If you believe you are not being paid the minimum wage required by this ordinance or your employer is in violation:
- Contact Code Enforcement Supervisor Joseph Martinez at jamartinez2@santafecountynm.gov
- Download the investigation request form and submit it by email or deliver it to Growth Management (240 Grant Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87501)
- Complete the investigation request form
What is the Living Wage? The Living Wage refers to the minimum hourly wage necessary for a person to achieve a higher standard of living.