How Much Does a Paramedic Make in New Mexico in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in New Mexico earns about $26.70 per hour, or $55,530 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes out to roughly $4,628 a month and about $1,068 a week. Those figures describe a full-time paramedic working in the state today.

That typical pay sits 8% below the national figure of $60,600 a year, placing New Mexico 39th among the 51 states and territories ranked. Around 810 Paramedics work across the state, compared with 100,610 nationwide. Lower pay in New Mexico often tracks the state's lower cost of living relative to higher-cost regions.

Entry-level positions in New Mexico typically offer around $19.15 an hour, or about $39,830 a year, for Paramedics just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $26.70 an hour within the first few years on the job. Experience, certifications, and the setting a paramedic works in all shape how quickly that happens.

Experienced Paramedics in New Mexico often earn upwards of $31.00 an hour, or about $64,480 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $37.51 an hour, or $78,010 a year. That leaves a spread of $38,180 between entry-level and top-10% pay, a gap usually explained by years on the job, additional certifications, and which city or setting a paramedic works in.

New Mexico's typical Paramedic pay rose from $47,130 in 2021 to $55,530 in 2025, a gain of $8,400. That's an increase of 18% over five years. Pay dipped slightly in 2022 before climbing steadily each year through 2025.

Nationally, typical Paramedic pay rose 30% over the same period, a faster pace than New Mexico's gain. Pay for Paramedics in the state has moved up in recent years, though there's no guarantee that pace continues. Someone starting out now enters a field where earnings have trended upward, not stayed flat.

Pay runs highest in Santa Fe, where Paramedics typically earn $75,660 a year ($36.37 an hour), about 36% above the state's typical figure. Albuquerque is the only other metro area with published figures, and its pay sits closer to the statewide typical. These figures reflect each metro area as a whole, not just the city center.

Albuquerque pays the least of the two, with Paramedics there earning $59,330 a year, a spread of $16,330 between the two cities. Albuquerque also has the larger Paramedic workforce, with 270 employed there compared with 80 in Santa Fe. Higher pay in Santa Fe tends to track its higher cost of living compared with Albuquerque.

New Mexico's typical Paramedic pay compares closely with its neighbors. Colorado pays the most nearby, at $63,910 a year, about 15% above New Mexico's figure. Arizona ($58,600) and Texas ($57,500) both pay somewhat more as well, while Oklahoma pays less, at $46,790, about 16% below New Mexico. Paramedic licensure earned in New Mexico can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Paramedics in New Mexico typically earn $55,530 a year, up $8,400, or 18%, over the past five years. Pay in the state runs below the national figure and varies by city, with Santa Fe paying the most and Albuquerque employing the most Paramedics. Readers weighing a move or a new certification can check New Mexico's state licensing or registry page for requirements, and the city pages for local pay figures.