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How Minimum Wage is Set in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces 

June 26, 2026

6.26.26 – Earlier this month, Albuquerque city councilors voted to increase the city’s minimum wage by a dollar each year over the next three. In doing so, Albuquerque joins Las Cruces and Santa Fe in giving their lowest wage employees a raise. Labor economist and retired UNM economics professor Richard Santos sits down with Host Nash Jones to discuss how these cities have set their minimum wage and what that means for local workers. 

Host: Nash Jones 

Guest: Richard Santos, Professor Emeritus, UNM Department of Economics 

For More Information: 
City Council passes minimum wage bill, with some tweaks – Albuquerque Journal