Bartender salary in Las Cruces, NM
Bartenders in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn a median of $34,470 a year ($16.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,680 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 7% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $36,980. There are 3.3 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $39,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Las Cruces, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 25th percentile | $25,840 | $12.42 |
| Median | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| 75th percentile | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,680 | $30.61 |
| Average (mean) | $39,870 | $19.17 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,872.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,436.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,325.77 |
| Weekly | $662.88 |
| Hourly | $16.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $44,250 | 530 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $37,400 | 1,960 |
| Farmington, NM | $31,030 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
See Bartender pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Las Cruces, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,360 | $15.56 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,980 | $14.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Dishwasher | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,750 | $13.82 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,030 | $29.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Las Cruces, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Las Cruces, NM?
The median salary for bartenders in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $34,470 a year, or $16.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Las Cruces, NM?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn at least $63,680 a year. The top 25% earn $49,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Las Cruces, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,960 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $25,840 or less.
How many bartenders work in Las Cruces, NM?
About 270 bartenders are employed in the Las Cruces, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.