City to Implement $15 Base Wage for City Employees
May 11, 2022
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the Keller Administration announced that it is taking the first steps to bring all City of Albuquerque employees up to at least a $15 per hour wage. Ensuring better pay for entry level positions is critical to the City’s effort to retain and attract the staff who deliver key services throughout Albuquerque. The $15 wage will apply to all regular, seasonal, and part-time employees of the City, with the likely exemption of contract temporary employees.
“City staff keeps Albuquerque running, plain and simple. It’s our responsibility to make sure we’re taking necessary measures to support our workforce and set people up for success,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’ve raised wages for City employees throughout my administration, and this next step is vital for long term recruitment and retention of employees across departments.”
“We’re continuing to do what’s needed to support our workforce and also make sure that the City can fill critical roles as governments and businesses nationwide face staffing challenges,” said Patricia Tafoya-Harris, Deputy Director of Human Resources. “We want to make sure that the City of Albuquerque stays competitive and that the community knows this is a great place to start a career.”
“We’ve made fiscal responsibility a priority over the years so that we can make important investments that will help the City operate at its best,” said Lawrence Davis, Budget Officer. “Because of this approach, we’re able to take these initial first steps to make sure our workforce is healthy.”
As part of a series of next steps, the city is conducting a compensation study, as called for in this year’s budget, which will then guide wage adjustments for City positions. Additional consideration is also being researched regarding issues of wage compression and collective bargaining agreements. Wage changes will be expected to phase in beginning in FY 2023.
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This implementation will only affect City government employees. Wages for private businesses in Albuquerque are set by a city ordinance that tracks the consumer price index, unless the current state minimum wage is higher. Today, the minimum wage in Albuquerque is $11.50 per hour, which is the current state minimum wage.