Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a deputy sheriff in New Mexico
Deputy sheriffs in New Mexico meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification Board (LECB), with the NM Law Enforcement Standards and Training Council and the NM Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA), Department of Public Safety: age 18+, 672-hour academy, state exam. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for New Mexico.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in New Mexico, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in New Mexico, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | NM |
|---|---|
| Workers | 4,580 |
| 10th percentile | $48,400 |
| Median | $69,180 |
| 90th percentile | $85,740 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in New Mexico
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERA Municipal Police, Fire and Detention Officer Coverage Plans - Tier 2 Tier 2 | — | age 60 or older with 5 or more years of service credit | Not published | Varies |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the New Mexico pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in New Mexico
32 sheriff's offices in New Mexico.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for New Mexico
New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification ExamNew Mexico exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Deputy Sheriff page.
Deputy Sheriff in other states
More government jobs in New Mexico
New Mexico government jobs · New Mexico public pension plans · police officer standards in New Mexico · exam practice in New Mexico