The minimum wage in Albuquerque is $12.50/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $20.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Albuquerque.
The minimum wage in Albuquerque is the City of Albuquerque minimum of $12.50/hour. Albuquerque sets its own local minimum wage of $12.50/hour, above the New Mexico statewide rate of $12.00, and adjusts it for inflation. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Albuquerque. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,150/month and a cost-of-living index of 94 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Albuquerque, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.50 | $26,000 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $40.50 | $84,240 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $13,800 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Bernalillo County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico, anchored by Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories, with an economy spanning defense and research, healthcare, a growing film-production industry, and tourism along the Rio Grande.
| Local Metric | Albuquerque (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 560,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Bernalillo County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 94 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $20.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.50/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,400/month |
| Median home price | $320,000 |
| Median household income | $60,000/year |
| Combined Gross Receipts Tax rate | 7.75% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.85% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Albuquerque is the City of Albuquerque minimum of $12.50/hour. Albuquerque sets its own local minimum wage of $12.50/hour, above the New Mexico statewide rate of $12.00, and adjusts it for inflation. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $26,000 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Bernalillo County needs about $20.00/hour (roughly $41,600/year) to cover basic costs. That is $7.50/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $40.50/hour.
At $12.50/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $26,000 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $19,500/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Albuquerque is about $1,150/month, or $13,800/year.
Albuquerque sets its own local minimum wage of $12.50/hour, above the New Mexico statewide rate of $12.00, and adjusts it for inflation.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. New Mexico has set a state minimum wage of $12.00/hour, above the federal floor, and some cities such as Albuquerque set a higher local rate, so the applicable rate applies in Albuquerque.