Firefighter salary in Albuquerque, NM
Firefighters in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $42,420 a year ($20.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,320 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $41,590. There are 2.4 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| 25th percentile | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Median | $42,420 | $20.40 |
| 75th percentile | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| Average (mean) | $43,570 | $20.95 |
Half of firefighters 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 | $3,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,767.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,631.54 |
| Weekly | $815.77 |
| Hourly | $20.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces, NM | $42,820 | 280 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $31,200 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Security Guard | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,380 | $35.28 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $85,290 | $41.01 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,240 | $13.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $55,370 | $26.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,110 | $16.88 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. 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 firefighter make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for firefighters in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $42,420 a year, or $20.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $55,320 a year. The top 25% earn $46,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,640 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,500 or less.
How many firefighters work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 950 firefighters are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.