Lawyer salary in Albuquerque, NM
Lawyers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $114,610 a year ($55.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $232,890 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 4% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $119,680. There are 4.8 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $141,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| 25th percentile | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| Median | $114,610 | $55.10 |
| 75th percentile | $168,290 | $80.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $232,890 | $111.97 |
| Average (mean) | $141,000 | $67.79 |
Half of lawyers 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 | $9,550.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,775.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,408.08 |
| Weekly | $2,204.04 |
| Hourly | $55.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $122,430 | 530 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $110,140 | 190 |
| Farmington, NM | $108,090 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $216,220 | $103.95 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $61,510 | $29.57 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. 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 lawyer make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for lawyers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $114,610 a year, or $55.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $232,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $232,890 a year. The top 25% earn $168,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,600 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $90,850 or less.
How many lawyers work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 1,960 lawyers are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.