Desert Academy Salary

As of August 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Desert Academy in the United States is $82,295. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $40. Salaries at Desert Academy typically range from $71,952 to $94,198 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Desert Academy

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Is Desert Academy’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Desert Academy's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Impact Early College High School Ptso $86,620
+5.3%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in Impact Early College High School Ptso's primary metro hubs.
Lake Marion High School $77,496
-5.8%
Lake Marion High School focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
Fairfield Elementary Magnet School $78,519
-4.6%
Fairfield Elementary Magnet School likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
NAHREP Silicon Valley $94,183
+14.4%
Supported by NAHREP Silicon Valley's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+40.2%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Desert Academy

Considering a career at Desert Academy? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Reduced burnout with practical initiatives. There’s a real sense of pride in what we do, which keeps morale consistently high. A strong team that values transparency and community service. The staff is welcoming, and leadership is transparent about goals.
This organization has a great culture centered on service and collaboration. The culture values diversity, respect, and collaboration. Overall, it’s a job that serves its purpose but doesn’t inspire passion.
Pay is fair, though not exceptional. I feel proud working in an environment that emphasizes lifelong learning and community impact. The benefits are good, but salaries tend to stagnate. This is a stable job with predictable routines. Kept diverse stakeholders engaged and aligned. The team dynamics are excellent—supportive, respectful, and diverse. Leadership varies depending on the manager.
Advancement is possible, but usually tied to years of service rather than performance. Transformed our managers into confident leaders. Efficient processes and clear goals help maintain high productivity levels.

Desert Academy Overview

Website
www.desertacademy.org
Founded In
1994
Employees
25 - 50 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
7300 Old Santa Fe Trl Santa Fe New Mexico NM 87505
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 5059928284
Social Media
About Desert Academy
Founded in 1994, Desert Academy is a college preparatory school which currently serves more than 170 students in grades 7 through 12. A 6th grade curriculum will be added in September, 2013. The school moved to a new 26-acre campus at 7300 Old Santa Fe Trail in September, 2012. Desert offers the International Baccalaureate's Diploma Program for 11th and 12th grade students and the Middle Years Pro

What Benefits Does Desert Academy Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Desert Academy offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Santa Fe?

Understanding the cost of living near Santa Fe is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Desert Academy.
Santa Fe's Cost of Living Index is approximately 113.2 (13.2% more expensive than US average; 20.9% more than NM average). State capital, major arts/culture/tourism hub, very high housing costs for NM. Santa Fe Trails bus, Rail Runner. When planning your budget based on a salary from Desert Academy, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,500 - $2,300+ A significant portion of Desert Academy salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $120 - $210 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $20 (SF Trails monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $450 - $670 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $750+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,940 - $4,730+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Desert Academy

1. How much does Desert Academy in the United States pay?

Desert Academy pays its employees an average of $82,295 per year. The average salary at Desert Academy range from $71,952 to $94,198 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.

2. Do Desert Academy employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at Desert Academy is lesser than its peer company. The average annual salary at Desert Academy is $82,295, or an hourly wage of $40, in comparison to Impact Early College High School Ptso which pays $86,620 per year or $42 per hour.

3. What are the highest paying jobs at Desert Academy?

The higher-paying job at Desert Academy, according to our data, include Director, Finance (avg. $149,225 per year), Athletic Director (avg. $97,499 per year), and Head Of School (avg. $89,804 per year). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.

4. How much does salary increase with years of experience at Desert Academy?

Salary progression with years of experience at Desert Academy is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.

5. Do salaries at Desert Academy vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at Desert Academy vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Santa Fe section provides more context.

6. Does Desert Academy offer good benefits?

Desert Academy typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Desert Academy" section on this page.