Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in New Mexico
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in New Mexico earn a median of $69,180 a year ($33.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,740 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $76,210. New Mexico ranks 32nd of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 5.3 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,700, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| 25th percentile | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Median | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| 75th percentile | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,740 | $41.22 |
| Average (mean) | $66,700 | $32.07 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers 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 | $5,765 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,882.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,660.77 |
| Weekly | $1,330.38 |
| Hourly | $33.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,180 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.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $74,640 | 310 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $73,380 | 1,780 |
| Farmington, NM | $62,200 | 230 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $60,720 | 430 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state.
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 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 33-3051. 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 police and sheriff's patrol officers make in New Mexico?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in New Mexico is $69,180 a year, or $33.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in New Mexico earn at least $85,740 a year. The top 25% earn $73,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,400 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $58,870 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in New Mexico?
About 4,580 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.