Food Preparation Worker salary in Albuquerque, NM
Food Preparation Workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $34,380 a year ($16.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,320 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $33,370. There are 6.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,810, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| 25th percentile | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Median | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| 75th percentile | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| Average (mean) | $33,810 | $16.25 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,432.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,322.31 |
| Weekly | $661.15 |
| Hourly | $16.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $36,120 | 560 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $32,360 | 830 |
| Farmington, NM | $31,030 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $34,380 a year, or $16.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $38,320 a year. The top 25% earn $36,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,290 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,500 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 2,570 food preparation workers are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.