Firefighter salary in Las Cruces, NM
Firefighters in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn a median of $42,820 a year ($20.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,240 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 3% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $41,590. There are 3.4 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Las Cruces, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,980 | $14.89 |
| 25th percentile | $35,660 | $17.14 |
| Median | $42,820 | $20.59 |
| 75th percentile | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,240 | $30.89 |
| Average (mean) | $44,440 | $21.37 |
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 | $3,568.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,784.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,646.92 |
| Weekly | $823.46 |
| Hourly | $20.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $42,420 | 950 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,370 | $25.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,730 | $45.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,790 | $22.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces, NM?
The median salary for firefighters in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $42,820 a year, or $20.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Las Cruces, NM?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn at least $64,240 a year. The top 25% earn $51,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Las Cruces, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,980 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $35,660 or less.
How many firefighters work in Las Cruces, NM?
About 280 firefighters are employed in the Las Cruces, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.