Food Preparation Worker salary in New Mexico
Food Preparation Workers in New Mexico earn a median of $33,370 a year ($16.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,200 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $35,320. New Mexico ranks 32nd of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 7.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,880, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| 25th percentile | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| Median | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| 75th percentile | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Average (mean) | $32,880 | $15.81 |
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 | $2,780.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,390.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,283.46 |
| Weekly | $641.73 |
| Hourly | $16.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $36,120 | 560 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $34,380 | 2,570 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,470 | $17.54 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Bartender | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Dishwasher | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,740 | $17.19 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,250 | $17.43 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for food preparation workers in New Mexico is $33,370 a year, or $16.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in New Mexico earn at least $38,200 a year. The top 25% earn $35,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,290 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,590 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in New Mexico?
About 6,850 food preparation workers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.