Registered Nurse Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Registered Nurses in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $96,040 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,019 take-home, or $6,085 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,299
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,954
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,393
- New Mexico income tax$3,375
- Take-home pay$73,019
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.90% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,090 | $38.50 | $62,575 | $5,215 |
| 25th percentile | $84,450 | $40.60 | $65,433 | $5,453 |
| Median (50th) | $96,040 | $46.17 | $73,019 | $6,085 |
| 75th percentile | $105,690 | $50.81 | $79,335 | $6,611 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,540 | $59.39 | $90,983 | $7,582 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $96,040 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 registered nurse's $73,019 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,423 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Albuquerque, NM as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #92 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 92 | Albuquerque, NM | $96,040 | $73,019 | $76,423 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in New Mexico
- Santa Fe, NM — $100,790
- Farmington, NM — $83,070
- Las Cruces, NM — $83,310
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median registered nurse salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $96,040 a year, or about $46.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $84,450 and $105,690.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $96,040 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $73,019 a year ($6,085 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,375 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,423 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #92 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse 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) — 19% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $147,000
- Dentists, General — $141,580
- Nurse Practitioner — $140,950
- Physical Therapist — $103,510
- Occupational Therapist — $99,170
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,160
- Dental Hygienist — $95,900
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $79,940
- Respiratory Therapist — $68,870
- Medical Records Specialist — $60,020
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $57,370