Bartender salary in Albuquerque, NM
Bartenders in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $37,400 a year ($17.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,580 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 1% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $36,980. There are 4.8 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,750 | $12.86 |
| 25th percentile | $27,320 | $13.13 |
| Median | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| 75th percentile | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Average (mean) | $42,520 | $20.44 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,116.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,558.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,438.46 |
| Weekly | $719.23 |
| Hourly | $17.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $44,250 | 530 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $34,470 | 270 |
| Farmington, NM | $31,030 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
See Bartender pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,160 | $16.90 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Dishwasher | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,890 | $17.74 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for bartenders in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $37,400 a year, or $17.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $63,580 a year. The top 25% earn $50,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,750 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $27,320 or less.
How many bartenders work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 1,960 bartenders are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.