Farmington vs Las Cruces: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Farmington, NM and Las Cruces, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Farmington, NM | Las Cruces, NM |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $64,103▲ | $62,578 |
| Hourly Rate | $30.81▲ | $30.08 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,228▲ | $49,531 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,527▲ | $60,094 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,007▲ | $74,904 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $75,203 | $94,661▲ |
| Total Employed | 230 | 430▲ |
Verdict
Farmington and Las Cruces are closely matched on overall police officer compensation, each winning on different metrics.
The salary gap between Farmington and Las Cruces is $1,525 (2.44%). Farmington's median is -18.38% compared to the US national median of $78,542.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Farmington spans $14,975,Las Cruces spans $45,130. Las Cruces has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Farmington ($73,088 effective) pays 5.36% more than Las Cruces ($69,368 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Farmington if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($64,103/year)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,088)
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Choose Las Cruces if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($94,661)
- ✓Larger job market (430 employed)
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Farmington grew 17.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.6% growth in Las Cruces over the same period.
Farmington, NM
$52,740 (2019) → $62,200 (2025)
Las Cruces, NM
$50,760 (2019) → $60,720 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Farmington, NM
Las Cruces, NM
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays police officers more: Farmington or Las Cruces?
What is the hourly rate difference between Farmington and Las Cruces?
Should I relocate from Farmington to Las Cruces as a police officer?
What do entry-level police officers earn in Farmington vs Las Cruces?
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov