How Much Does an EMT Make in New Mexico in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in New Mexico, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · New Mexico · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical EMT in New Mexico earns about $18.05 per hour, which comes to $37,550 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $3,129 a month or $722 a week, based on the annual figure. Pay varies by city, experience, and employer within that range.
New Mexico's typical EMT pay runs about 16% below the national figure of $44,470 a year, and the state ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories for EMT pay. Lower pay in New Mexico often tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 1,260 EMTs work across the state, a workforce that gives a sense of scale for these figures.
EMT pay in New Mexico at a glance
- EMTs in New Mexico typically earn $18.05 an hour ($37,550 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- That's 16% below the national typical pay for EMTs, placing New Mexico 41st out of 51 states and territories.
- Albuquerque pays the most among New Mexico cities, with EMTs earning $40,270 a year, about 7% above the state figure.
- Entry-level EMTs typically start around $32,370 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $55,500 a year.
- New Mexico's typical EMT pay has risen about 24% since 2021, adding roughly $7,390 to the yearly figure.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in New Mexico?
EMT pay by career stage in New Mexico
| Career stage | New Mexico | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $32,370$15.56 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $35,880$17.25 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $37,550$18.05 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $47,600$22.89 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $55,500$26.68 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
EMT pay by experience level in New Mexico
Entry-level EMTs in New Mexico typically start around $15.56 an hour, or about $32,370 a year, in their first positions. Pay typically climbs toward the statewide typical figure of $18.05 an hour within the first few years on the job. New EMTs often start in high call volume settings or smaller agencies before moving to better-paying employers.
Experienced EMTs in New Mexico often earn upwards of $22.89 an hour ($47,600 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $26.68 an hour, or $55,500 a year. That leaves a gap of $23,130 between entry-level and top-earning EMTs in the state. Setting, years on the job, and city typically account for most of that difference.
EMT pay growth in New Mexico
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in New Mexico · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
New Mexico's typical EMT pay rose from $30,160 in 2021 to $37,550 in 2025, a gain of $7,390. That's an increase of about 24% over that span, according to the same government wage data. Pay rose most sharply between 2021 and 2022, then leveled off in the years since.
Nationally, typical EMT pay rose about 25% over the same period, close to New Mexico's pace. For someone starting as an EMT in New Mexico now, that history shows pay has moved upward in recent years, though future gains aren't guaranteed. Local hiring conditions and cost-of-living changes will continue to shape where pay goes from here.
EMT salary by city in New Mexico
Pay runs highest in Albuquerque, where EMTs typically earn $40,270 a year ($19.36 an hour), about 7% above the statewide figure. Santa Fe pays nearly as much, at $40,190 a year ($19.32 an hour). Both metro areas sit well above the rest of the state's cities.
Las Cruces pays the least among the state's tracked cities, with EMTs earning $36,740 a year, a spread of $3,530 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Albuquerque also has the largest EMT workforce in the state, with about 360 workers. Figures for each city reflect its full metro area, and gaps between cities often track local living costs.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs New Mexico | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque | $40,270 | $19.36 | +7% | 360 |
| 2 | Santa Fe | $40,190 | $19.32 | +7% | 80 |
| 3 | Farmington | $37,020 | $17.80 | -1% | 110 |
| 4 | Las Cruces | $36,740 | $17.66 | -2% | 150 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · New Mexico typical pay $37,550
How New Mexico compares with nearby states
New Mexico's neighbors show a wide range in EMT pay. Colorado pays the most at $45,750 a year, about 22% above New Mexico's figure, while Arizona pays somewhat more too, at $39,500 a year. Oklahoma pays less, at $34,170 a year, about 9% below New Mexico. Licensure earned in one of these states can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state.
| State | Typical pay | Vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $37,550 | baseline |
| Colorado | $45,750 | +22% |
| Arizona | $39,500 | +5% |
| Texas | $37,260 | -1% |
| Oklahoma | $34,170 | -9% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical EMT pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is New Mexico a good state for EMTs?
EMTs in New Mexico earn less than in most states: typical pay is $37,550 a year, 16% below the national figure, ranking 41st of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in New Mexico, about 1.4 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes the local economy more reliant on EMTs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: EMTs make up a larger share of New Mexico's workforce than in most states.
Summary
EMTs in New Mexico typically earn $37,550 a year ($18.05 an hour), up from $30,160 in 2021. Pay varies by city and experience, with Albuquerque and Santa Fe paying the most. Readers weighing this career can check New Mexico's EMT licensing or registry page for certification requirements, and city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in New Mexico?
- A typical EMT in New Mexico earns about $18.05 an hour, or $37,550 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay ranges from around $32,370 a year for entry-level positions up to over $55,500 a year for the top 10% of earners.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in New Mexico?
- EMTs in New Mexico typically earn about $18.05 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 16% below the national hourly figure of $21.38, though entry-level EMTs start closer to $15.56 an hour and top earners make over $26.68 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in New Mexico?
- Entry-level EMTs in New Mexico typically start around $15.56 an hour, or about $32,370 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay usually climbs toward the statewide typical figure of $37,550 a year within the first few years on the job.
- Which city in New Mexico pays EMTs the most?
- Albuquerque pays EMTs the most among New Mexico's tracked cities, with typical pay of $40,270 a year ($19.36 an hour), about 7% above the statewide figure. Santa Fe follows closely at $40,190 a year, while Las Cruces pays the least, at $36,740 a year.
- Is EMT pay in New Mexico higher than the national rate?
- No. EMT pay in New Mexico runs about 16% below the national figure, with a typical wage of $37,550 a year compared with $44,470 nationally. New Mexico ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories for EMT pay, and lower pay in the state often tracks lower living costs.