ocity
💰 COL Index: 93 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Albuquerque, NM

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-25 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$67,652
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$72,744
model average ÷ 93.0 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$154,309
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,005
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Albuquerque?

$67,652 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$67,652/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,638/month
Household income context$67,907

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$154,309
💡 Purchasing-power model $165,924
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.19/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$133,173
💡 Purchasing-power model $143,197
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.03/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,587
💡 Purchasing-power model $133,965
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.90/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,937
💡 Purchasing-power model $113,911
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.93/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,153
💡 Purchasing-power model $106,616
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.67/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Albuquerque

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (93.0/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $154,309
2 Pharmacist $133,173
3 Software Developer $124,587
4 Construction Manager $105,937
5 Project Manager $99,153
6 Physical Therapist $97,616
7 Financial Analyst $96,930
8 Web Developer $90,802
9 Dental Hygienist $85,691
10 Accountant $84,272
11 Registered Nurse $84,262
12 Data Analyst $81,609
13 Police Officer $73,336
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,229
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,332
16 Plumber $62,019
17 Paralegal $61,432
18 Electrician $60,257
19 Real Estate Agent $60,188
20 Graphic Designer $60,051
21 Firefighter $55,920
22 Carpenter $55,724
23 HVAC Technician $54,500
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,975
25 Insurance Agent $48,950
26 Cosmetologist $48,950
27 Nail Technician $48,950
28 Personal Trainer $48,950
29 Auto Mechanic $48,950
30 Chef/Head Cook $48,950
31 Social Worker $48,950
32 Pharmacy Technician $48,950
33 Dental Assistant $48,950
34 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,950
35 Veterinary Technician $48,950
36 Loan Officer $48,950
37 Welder $48,548
38 Medical Assistant $37,466
39 Security Guard $35,381
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,009

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Albuquerque salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.612×–1.468× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 93.0 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-25; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Albuquerque

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,005/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,222/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$300,100
📉
Unemployment
4.0%
💳
Median Income
$67,907
🎓
College Educated
40%
🚶
Walk Score
65/100
📊
Cost of Living
93
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Albuquerque Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Albuquerque Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Albuquerque mean on this page?

▼
$67,652 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Albuquerque workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Albuquerque?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,638 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Albuquerque?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Albuquerque?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.612×–1.468× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Albuquerque

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

Career Decisions

Make your salary work in Albuquerque

City analysis

10 Best Affordable Cities for Artists and Creatives (2026)

Where creative careers actually pay the rent — without the NYC or LA price tag

City analysis

US Digital Nomad City Screen: Costs Before Connectivity Claims

Ten original city records with an address-level remote-work verification checklist.

City analysis

Remote Salary Arbitrage: Employer Approval and Household Math

A compensation and residency framework—not a promise that big-city pay follows the worker.

Career Guides →Cost of Living →Housing Market →Neighborhood Guide →

Explore Albuquerque Further

🏙️ Albuquerque City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage