Childcare Worker Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Childcare Workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $36,340 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,784 take-home, or $2,565 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,181
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,253
- Medicare (1.45%)$527
- New Mexico income tax$595
- Take-home pay$30,784
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.30% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,090 | $14.95 | $26,775 | $2,231 |
| 25th percentile | $31,650 | $15.22 | $27,207 | $2,267 |
| Median (50th) | $36,340 | $17.47 | $30,784 | $2,565 |
| 75th percentile | $37,110 | $17.84 | $31,369 | $2,614 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,120 | $20.25 | $35,180 | $2,932 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,340 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 childcare worker's $30,784 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,219 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Albuquerque, NM has 1.6× the national concentration of childcare worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #9 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 9 | Albuquerque, NM | $36,340 | $30,784 | $32,219 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in New Mexico
- Las Cruces, NM — $34,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median childcare worker salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $36,340 a year, or about $17.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,650 and $37,110.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $36,340 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $30,784 a year ($2,565 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $595 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,219 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #9 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker 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) — 46% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
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- Animal Caretaker — $33,080
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,750
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