New Mexico Median
$69,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#32 of 51
4,580 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in New Mexico?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in New Mexico take home a median of $69,180 annually — roughly $33.26 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $76,210.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $48,400 while the top 10% make $85,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,870 and $73,430 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,400 | $23.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,870 | $28.30 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,180 | $33.26 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $73,430 | $35.30 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,740 | $41.22 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other states
California $118,880Washington $102,080Illinois $100,520Alaska $99,130Colorado $97,350Delaware $92,970New York $92,790New Jersey $92,610District of Columbia $88,650Oregon $88,140Pennsylvania $85,470Hawaii $83,820Minnesota $83,360Connecticut $82,170Massachusetts $78,940Arizona $78,880Nevada $78,140Wisconsin $78,090Maryland $77,970Utah $77,310Rhode Island $77,230Ohio $77,020Texas $75,900Nebraska $74,620North Dakota $74,500Florida $74,470Iowa $74,470Michigan $73,730Indiana $73,370New Hampshire $71,640Montana $70,050Vermont $68,910Maine $67,050Idaho $66,990Wyoming $66,140Virginia $65,870South Dakota $60,740Kentucky $60,490Oklahoma $59,700Missouri $59,460North Carolina $59,300Tennessee $59,280Kansas $59,230Georgia $58,120South Carolina $58,070West Virginia $56,960Alabama $51,270Louisiana $48,380Arkansas $47,670Mississippi $46,140
Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in New Mexico
Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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 ($69,180) 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 do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in New Mexico?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in New Mexico is $69,180 per year, or about $33.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,400 at the entry level to $85,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 9% less than the national median of $76,210. New Mexico ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $69,180 a year. About 4,580 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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.