Santa Fe will raise its minimum wage to $15.40 per hour, effective March 1st, according to a local announcement. The increase positions Centennial High School as the first secondary school in the district to implement the new standard for its student employees.
The wage increase applies to all hourly workers within Santa Fe, impacting both the public and private sectors. While the specific details of the ordinance were not immediately available, the change reflects a broader movement toward establishing a “living wage” as opposed to a minimum wage, as defined by the International Labour Organization. The distinction, according to a report by the World Economic Forum, centers on the level of income necessary to maintain a basic standard of living.
Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) employs 1,587 individuals, with an average annual salary of $58,001 and a median salary of $63,509, according to data from GovSalaries.com. In 2024, the highest salary within the district reached $209,167. The impact of the wage increase on the school district’s budget has not been disclosed.
The move comes as the United Nations’ International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) continues to refine global salary scales for professional staff. The ICSC establishes compensation packages, including base salaries and post adjustments, designed to maintain purchasing power across different duty stations internationally. These scales, established by the UN General Assembly, utilize a common job classification system. The ICSC also manages allowances for factors such as danger pay, mobility, and hardship.
Details regarding the implementation of the new wage at Centennial High School, including the number of student employees affected and any potential adjustments to student perform hours, have not been released by the school or the district. SFPS has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the broader implications of the wage increase for its workforce.
