Waiters and Waitresses salary in Albuquerque, NM
Waiters and Waitresses in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $38,050 a year ($18.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,370 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 3% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $36,920. There are 15 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| 25th percentile | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| Median | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| 75th percentile | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,370 | $33.35 |
| Average (mean) | $43,830 | $21.07 |
Half of waiters and waitresses 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 | $3,170.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,585.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,463.46 |
| Weekly | $731.73 |
| Hourly | $18.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $46,640 | 1,680 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $38,670 | 1,190 |
| Farmington, NM | $37,210 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Bartender | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,160 | $16.90 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| 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 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| 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 35-3031. 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 waiters and waitresses make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $38,050 a year, or $18.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $69,370 a year. The top 25% earn $58,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,650 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $29,110 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 5,880 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.