Cooks, Restaurant salary in Albuquerque, NM
Cooks, Restaurant in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $35,190 a year ($16.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,250 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is about the same as the New Mexico statewide median of $35,020. There are 8.4 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,610 | $14.24 |
| 25th percentile | $31,000 | $14.90 |
| Median | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| 75th percentile | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Average (mean) | $35,440 | $17.04 |
Half of cooks, restaurant 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 | $2,932.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,466.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,353.46 |
| Weekly | $676.73 |
| Hourly | $16.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $37,250 | 1,100 |
| Farmington, NM | $34,540 | 370 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $30,980 | 730 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, restaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| Hawaii | $45,420 |
| Vermont | $45,390 |
| Maine | $45,290 |
| California | $44,880 |
| New York | $43,680 |
| Oregon | $43,100 |
| Colorado | $41,600 |
See Cooks, Restaurant pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Bartender | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Dishwasher | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,160 | $16.90 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,890 | $17.74 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2014. 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 cooks, restaurant make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $35,190 a year, or $16.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $43,250 a year. The top 25% earn $37,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,610 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $31,000 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 3,390 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.