Cooks, Restaurant salary in Santa Fe, NM
Cooks, Restaurant in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median of $37,250 a year ($17.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,720 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 6% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $35,020. There are 18 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Santa Fe, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| 25th percentile | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Median | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 75th percentile | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Average (mean) | $38,390 | $18.46 |
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 | $3,104.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,552.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,432.69 |
| Weekly | $716.35 |
| Hourly | $17.91 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $35,190 | 3,390 |
| 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 Santa Fe, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,810 | $14.81 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,290 | $22.74 |
| Bartender | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $32,260 | $15.51 |
| Dishwasher | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $72,020 | $34.62 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe, NM?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $37,250 a year, or $17.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Santa Fe, NM?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn at least $45,720 a year. The top 25% earn $42,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Santa Fe, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,580 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $34,170 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Santa Fe, NM?
About 1,100 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Santa Fe, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.