Firefighter Salary in New Mexico (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Firefighters in New Mexico, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$41,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-30% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#43 of 50
2,420 employed here

How much does a Firefighter make in New Mexico?

A Firefighter working in New Mexico earns a median salary of $41,590 per year, or about $20.00 per hour. That is 30% below the national median of $59,280 for this occupation.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $57,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,520 and $48,290 a year.

Firefighter salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$36,520$17.56
50th percentile (median)$41,590$20.00
75th percentile (experienced)$48,290$23.22
90th percentile (top earners)$57,780$27.78

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 43rd out of 50 states and territories for Firefighter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$100,960
2Washington$94,520
3California$85,120
4New Jersey$84,130
5Illinois$78,380

Working as a Firefighter in New Mexico

Nationally, about 346,000 people work as Firefighters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare New Mexico pay ($41,590) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Firefighter make in New Mexico?
The median Firefighter salary in New Mexico is $41,590 per year, or about $20.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $57,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Firefighters about 30% less than the national median of $59,280. New Mexico ranks 43rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Firefighters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $41,590 a year. About 2,420 Firefighters are employed in New Mexico. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Firefighter salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.