Firefighter salary in New Mexico
Firefighters in New Mexico earn a median of $41,590 a year ($19.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,780 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $59,280. New Mexico ranks 43rd of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Median | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| 75th percentile | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Average (mean) | $43,180 | $20.76 |
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 | $3,465.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,732.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,599.62 |
| Weekly | $799.81 |
| Hourly | $19.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces, NM | $42,820 | 280 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $64,680 | $31.09 |
| Security Guard | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,840 | $41.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $92,200 | $44.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.13 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,970 | $27.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for firefighters in New Mexico is $41,590 a year, or $19.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of firefighters in New Mexico earn at least $57,780 a year. The top 25% earn $48,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $36,520 or less.
How many firefighters work in New Mexico?
About 2,420 firefighters are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.