Sustainability Manager.
Albuquerque.
$94,000
median salary, 10% below the national average
$72,000 to $124,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Sustainability Managers actually make in Albuquerque: $72,000 at the 25th percentile, $94,000 at the median, and $124,000 at the 75th. That is 10% below the national average. Albuquerque's economy is driven by Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, and a growing film production industry. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $85,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$61,000
to $75,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$80,000
to $99,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$103,000
to $122,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$118,000
to $146,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $26,000 to the total package.
Base
$94,000
Equity
$15,000
Bonus
$9,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $120,000
How Albuquerque compares
Albuquerque, NM
$94,000
Cost of living: 12% below average
National Average
$105,000
Albuquerque is $11,000 below
Sustainability Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Albuquerque
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Sustainability Manager roles in Albuquerque, here is what you are walking into. Albuquerque's economy is driven by Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, and a growing film production industry. The city offers affordable living and a strong pipeline of research and engineering jobs tied to national defense and energy programs. Industry sector, reporting framework expertise like GRI and SASB, and scope of responsibility create the widest pay gaps. Managers at Fortune 500 companies overseeing enterprise-wide sustainability programs with regulatory compliance earn 25 to 40% more than those at smaller organizations.
Sustainability Coordinators start at $80,000 to $90,000. Managers leading programs and teams earn $100,000 to $120,000. Senior Directors of Sustainability reach $125,000 to $160,000, while Chief Sustainability Officers at major corporations command $180,000 to $300,000 in total compensation. In Albuquerque, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 12% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 10 to 20% tied to ESG metric achievement are common at large corporations. RSUs at public companies can add $15,000 to $40,000. Many roles include budgets for professional certifications and conference attendance. And on the tax side: new Mexico's top income tax rate is 5.9%. Albuquerque has no city income tax. The moderate state rate and affordable housing create reasonable net compensation. When someone quotes you $94,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight security clearance or national lab experience. Sandia and Los Alamos pay nationally competitive salaries with excellent federal benefits packages. The range for Sustainability Managers in Albuquerque runs from $72,000 to $124,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Curriculum Designer in Albuquerque earns $93,000 (1% less)
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Common questions.
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