Retail Salesperson Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Retail Salespersons in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $34,160 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,126 take-home, or $2,427 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,919
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,118
- Medicare (1.45%)$495
- New Mexico income tax$502
- Take-home pay$29,126
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,560 | $13.73 | $24,823 | $2,069 |
| 25th percentile | $29,860 | $14.36 | $25,826 | $2,152 |
| Median (50th) | $34,160 | $16.42 | $29,126 | $2,427 |
| 75th percentile | $36,680 | $17.63 | $31,042 | $2,587 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,090 | $21.68 | $37,438 | $3,120 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,160 buys in Albuquerque, NM
Prices in Albuquerque, NM are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $29,126 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,484 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Albuquerque, NM as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.12).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #47 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 47 | Albuquerque, NM | $34,160 | $29,126 | $30,484 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $34,160 a year, or about $16.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,860 and $36,680.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $34,160 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $29,126 a year ($2,427 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $502 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,484 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #47 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Albuquerque, NM is $1,185 a month ($1,464 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $47,250
- Cashier — $30,540