# Travel >> Destinations >> Mexico

Albuquerque Minimum Wage 2024: Federal Floor Applies, But Most Employers Pay More

As of 2024, Albuquerque has no city-specific minimum wage—the federal minimum of $7.25/hour ($15,080/year full-time) applies by default. However, market reality differs dramatically from the legal floor.

What Workers Actually Earn

Sector	Typical Entry Wage	Notes
Retail/Hospitality (large chains)	$13–$16/hr	Target, Walmart, Costco, Starbucks set internal floors
Healthcare Support	$15–$20/hr	CNA, MA, patient care tech roles
Construction/Labor	$16–$25/hr	Varies by trade, union status
Call Centers/Office	$15–$18/hr	Major employers: Bank of America, Fidelity, Verizon
Gig/Delivery	$12–$22/hr (net)	After expenses; highly variable

State & Local Context

New Mexico State Minimum: $12.00/hr (effective Jan 2024) — applies statewide including Albuquerque
Bernalillo County: No separate minimum
Tipped Employees: $3.00/hr base (NM) / $2.13/hr (federal) — tips must bring to full minimum

Crucial Correction: The 2023 source stating "Albuquerque does not have a minimum wage higher than federal" is outdated. New Mexico's $12.00/hr state minimum supersedes the federal $7.25 and applies to all Albuquerque employers (with limited exceptions for very small businesses).