Minimum Wage Preemption: Albuquerque vs Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Albuquerque, NM and Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM?
Albuquerque has fewer restrictions than Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.
Albuquerque, NM
Bernalillo County
Albuquerque sets a local minimum wage of $12.97 in 2026 under Ord. 4-2024, indexed annually to the CPI, on top of New Mexico's statewide $12 floor (NM §50-4-22), with separate base rates for tipped workers.
View full Albuquerque rules →Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Bernalillo County
New Mexico sets a statewide minimum wage but does not preempt local minimum wage ordinances, allowing cities and counties to set higher local minimums than state law.
View full Los Ranchos de Albuquerque rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Albuquerque | Los Ranchos de Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| ABQ minimum 2026 | $12.97 | - |
| NM minimum | $12 | - |
| Authority | Ord. 4-2024 | - |
| Indexing | Annual CPI | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Albuquerque FAQ
Why is Albuquerque's minimum wage higher than New Mexico's?
State law sets a floor but does not preempt cities from going higher. Albuquerque's voters and council adopted a local rate, now updated through Ord. 4-2024 with annual CPI indexing.
Does the local minimum apply to small businesses and nonprofits?
Yes. The ordinance applies broadly to employers within city limits. Limited exceptions exist for certain learners, youth, and trainees consistent with state law and the local ordinance text.
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque FAQ
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