Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in New Mexico
Correctional Officers and Jailers in New Mexico earn a median of $47,940 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,330 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $58,940. New Mexico ranks 40th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 3.1 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| 25th percentile | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $52,370 | $25.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Average (mean) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
Half of correctional officers and jailers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.85 |
| Weekly | $921.92 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces, NM | $52,370 | 380 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $47,940 | 680 |
Highest-paying states for correctional officers and jailers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $96,370 |
| New Jersey | $94,770 |
| Massachusetts | $86,310 |
| Oregon | $83,690 |
| Washington | $79,460 |
| Illinois | $79,190 |
| New York | $76,820 |
| Nevada | $76,490 |
| Wisconsin | $73,470 |
| Alaska | $71,360 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,840 | $41.75 |
| Security Guard | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Firefighter | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $92,200 | $44.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.13 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,800 | $18.17 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a correctional officers and jailers make in New Mexico?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in New Mexico is $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in New Mexico earn at least $59,330 a year. The top 25% earn $52,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,900 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $42,830 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in New Mexico?
About 2,740 correctional officers and jailers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.