Food Preparation Worker salary in Farmington, NM
Food Preparation Workers in the Farmington, NM metro area earn a median of $31,030 a year ($14.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,060 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 7% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $33,370. There are 6.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Farmington, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,270 | $12.63 |
| 25th percentile | $28,860 | $13.88 |
| Median | $31,030 | $14.92 |
| 75th percentile | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Average (mean) | $31,860 | $15.32 |
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 | $2,585.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,292.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,193.46 |
| Weekly | $596.73 |
| Hourly | $14.92 |
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 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $34,380 | 2,570 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $32,360 | 830 |
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 Farmington, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Dishwasher | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Bartender | $31,030 | $14.92 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,380 | $14.13 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Farmington, 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 Farmington, NM?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Farmington, NM metro area is $31,030 a year, or $14.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Farmington, NM?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Farmington, NM metro area earn at least $36,060 a year. The top 25% earn $34,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Farmington, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,270 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,860 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Farmington, NM?
About 320 food preparation workers are employed in the Farmington, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.