Minimum Wage in Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87101

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Albuquerque, NM Minimum Wage and Wage Claims

What Is the Minimum Wage in Albuquerque, NM?

You are entitled to the highest minimum wage that applies where you work, whether set by your city, county, or state government. (Most cities and counties don’t have their own minimum wage laws.)

Albuquerque Minimum Wage

The city of Albuquerque’s minimum wage is currently $12 an hour.

You can learn more about Albuquerque’s minimum wage at https://www.cabq.gov/legal/news/albuquerque-minimum-wage-2021.

Bernalillo County Minimum Wage

In the unincorporated area of Bernalillo County (outside the city limits of Albuquerque), the current minimum wage is $9.45 an hour. Because this is lower than New Mexico's current minimum wage, workers in Bernalillo County are entitled to the higher state amount. 

New Mexico Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in New Mexico is $12 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Land of Enchantment must be paid at least $12 an hour. A handful of local governments in New Mexico have passed their own minimum wage ordinances.

Visit https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Minimum-Wage-Information to find out more about New Mexico’s minimum wage.

What Is the Tipped Minimum Wage in Albuquerque, NM?

Some states and local governments allow employers to pay tipped employees a lower minimum hourly wage; others don't. 

Albuquerque Tipped Minimum Wage

If you work for tips in the city of Albuquerque, your employer may pay you a lower minimum wage – as little as $7.20 an hour – as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your hourly pay up to the full regular minimum wage, $12 an hour.

New Mexico Tipped Minimum Wage

In New Mexico, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $3 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $12 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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Who Enforces Albuquerque, NM Minimum Wage Laws?

Albuquerque Enforcement Agency

If you have questions about the city of Albuquerque’s minimum wage law, contact the:

City of Albuquerque Legal Department

URL: https://www.cabq.gov/legal

Address:

City of Albuquerque Legal Department
One Civic Plaza
4th Floor, Room 4072
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Phone: 505-768-4500

New Mexico Enforcement Agency

If you have questions about New Mexico's minimum wage, contact the

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

URL: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/

Phone: Albuquerque: 505-841-4400; Las Cruces: 575-524-6195; Santa Fe: 505-827-6817

Find contact information for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions at https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Contact.

How to File a Wage Claim in Albuquerque, NM

If you were not paid the minimum wage in Albuquerque, NM, you may have the right to file a wage claim or complaint with a government agency. Be sure to look at the wage claim materials (below) for the agency that enforces the law you believe was violated, whether city, county, or state. 

All jurisdictions impose a time limit on how far back you may claim unpaid wages, so it's important to file your claim quickly. There may be other restrictions on the claims you may file, such as dollar-amount limits or limits on the agency’s ability to force employers to comply with the law. You may be required to ask your employer to pay you correctly before you file a claim. And, you almost always have the option to go straight to court and file a lawsuit instead of filing a wage claim with a government agency. For these reasons, it often makes sense to talk to an experienced wage and hour lawyer to make sure you know all of your options, understand the strength of your claims, and decide how to proceed.

Filing a Wage Complaint with the City of Albuquerque Legal Department

If you were not paid the minimum wage in Albuquerque, you may make a complaint to the City of Albuquerque Legal Department. Learn more about how the city of Albuquerque's minimum wage law is enforced

Filing a Wage Claim with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions has posted its wage claim form and instructions at its website. 

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Get Help With Albuquerque, NM Wage Claims and Lawsuits

If you are considering filing a wage claim or lawsuit, you may want to speak to a local wage and hour attorney. The resources below can help you find a lawyer near you.

Albuquerque, NM Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance

Legal aid offices provide free legal assistance to low-income people. Typically, you must qualify for legal aid based on your income. Visit to find local resources and legal aid offices.

Some law schools have free legal clinics that provide assistance with specific problems, including wage and hour issues and other employment matters. Find a list of law schools offering legal clinics on a variety of issues at the American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono.

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Albuquerque, NM Lawyer Directories

Lawyer Referral Services in New Mexico. Check with the New Mexico State Bar Association for information on lawyer referral services in Albuquerque, NM. Lawyer referral services match people with attorneys who specialize in particular legal fields, such as wage and hour law.

NELA’s “Find-A-Lawyer” Service. Search the National Employment Lawyer’s Association’s membership to find Albuquerque, NM lawyers who specialize in wage and hour claims and other employment issues.


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