SOC 51-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Butchers and Meat Cutters — Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Albuquerque, NM is $36,510 a year, trailing the national median of $40,140 by 9.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Albuquerque, NM is $36,510 a year, trailing the national median of $40,140 by 9.0%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $34,870 and $48,280. The lowest tenth earn under $29,330, while the highest tenth earn more than $50,610.
The area has 350 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Santa Fe records the highest median at $46,880. Of the 498 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 442nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,330 | −26.9% |
| 25th | $34,870 | −13.1% |
| Median (50th) | $36,510 | −9.0% |
| 75th | $48,280 | +20.3% |
| 90th | $50,610 | +26.1% |
| Mean | $40,910 | +1.9% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $46,880 | 90 | |
| 2 | Farmington | $36,510 | 40 | |
| 3 | Las Cruces | $33,070 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Albuquerque run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,510 goes as far as $39,599 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,599US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,510 a year, 9.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,330 to $50,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 350 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Fe, at $46,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Albuquerque, NM?
The median annual wage is $36,510, or $17.55 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $40,140, so pay in Albuquerque, NM is 9.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Albuquerque, NM earns more than $50,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,330 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Santa Fe, at $46,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 350 jobs in this occupation in Albuquerque, NM. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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