Updated 2026-10-02 · 10 of 134 New Mexico agencies publish starting pay
Highest paying police departments in New Mexico
Police officer salary in New Mexico by department, ranked by the starting pay each one states in a current posting. Median starting pay is $62,276, about $29.94/hr or $5,190/mo, below the national median of $70,081. 10 of these departments are hiring right now.
Median starting pay
$62,276
▼ 11% vs national $70,081Lowest on file
$40,123
Grant County SheriffMedian top-step pay
$82,128
9 departments publish a top stepEvery New Mexico department by starting pay
Highest first| Department | Area | Starting pay | Top pay | Lateral start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hobbs PD | $80,122 | Hiring · 1 | |||
| 2. Albuquerque PD | $67,142 | Hiring · 1 | |||
| 3. San Juan County Sheriff | $63,669 | Hiring · 3 | |||
| 4. Las Cruces PD | $62,962 | Hiring · 2 | |||
| 5. Los Lunas PD | $62,317 | Hiring · 2 | |||
| 6. Carlsbad PD | $62,234 | Hiring · 2 | |||
| 7. Santa Fe County Sheriff | $60,320 | Hiring · 4 | |||
| 8. Chaves County Sheriff | $56,264 | Hiring · 2 | |||
| 9. Ruidoso PD | $43,472 | Hiring · 2 | |||
| 10. Grant County Sheriff | $40,123 | Hiring · 4 |
Hiring bonuses in New Mexico
All New Mexico bonuses- Las Cruces PDLaterals · $10,000.00 at hire, $10,000.00 at completion of field training, $10,000.00 one day prior to end of probationary year, plus $5,000.00 relocation assistance (based on eligibility)$30,000
- Carlsbad PDLaterals · Upon Hire receive $10,000.00 and after 1 year of employment, receive the remaining $5,000.00$15,000
Related
Police jobs in New Mexico (26)Lateral police jobs in New MexicoNew Mexico departments that don't require college (9)All New Mexico departmentsStarting pay by state