Recreation Worker Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Recreation Workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $26,510 a year — 27% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $23,201 take-home, or $1,933 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,041
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,644
- Medicare (1.45%)$384
- New Mexico income tax$240
- Take-home pay$23,201
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.20% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,510 | $12.75 | $23,201 | $1,933 |
| 25th percentile | $26,510 | $12.75 | $23,201 | $1,933 |
| Median (50th) | $26,510 | $12.75 | $23,201 | $1,933 |
| 75th percentile | $37,360 | $17.96 | $31,560 | $2,630 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,980 | $23.07 | $39,636 | $3,303 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $26,510 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 recreation worker's $23,201 take-home pay has the buying power of $24,283 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Recreation Worker jobs are less concentrated in Albuquerque, NM than nationally (location quotient 0.61), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #119 of 119 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $47,870 | $40,644 | $44,687 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $36,080 | $30,059 | $33,862 |
| 5 | Spokane, WA | $39,260 | $33,725 | $33,609 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $38,230 | $32,898 | $33,547 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $37,460 | $32,279 | $33,506 |
| 8 | Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | $30,505 | $33,265 |
| 119 | Albuquerque, NM | $26,510 | $23,201 | $24,283 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median recreation worker salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $26,510 a year, or about $12.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $26,510 and $37,360.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $26,510 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $23,201 a year ($1,933 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $240 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 27% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $24,283 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #119 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation 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) — 61% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $45,250
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,330
- Childcare Worker — $36,340
- Animal Caretaker — $33,080
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,750