Albuquerque applies its local minimum wage and city contractor living wage rules to hotels and hospitality vendors that hold city contracts or subsidies, with the citywide minimum set at $12.97 in 2026 and indexed annually.
Albuquerque adopted a local minimum wage ordinance (Ord. 4-2024) that sets the citywide minimum at $12.97 in 2026, indexed each year to the CPI, and applies to hospitality, tourism, and hotel workers operating within city limits. City contractors and recipients of certain city financial assistance must also comply with the Living Wage provisions in Chapter 4, which can require higher rates for covered employees. While New Mexico state minimum wage (NM §50-4-22) sets a $12 floor, Albuquerque's higher local rate controls inside city limits. Tipped wage rules and youth training rates follow the structure in the local ordinance.
Paying hotel staff below the local minimum wage, misclassifying tipped workers, or evading living wage rules on city-funded projects can lead to back-pay orders, civil penalties, and contract debarment.
See how Albuquerque's hotel living wage rules stack up against other locations.
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