Waiters and Waitresses salary in New Mexico
Waiters and Waitresses in New Mexico earn a median of $36,920 a year ($17.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,410 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $35,230. New Mexico ranks 16th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 15 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,670 | $12.82 |
| 25th percentile | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| Median | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 75th percentile | $56,940 | $27.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Average (mean) | $43,210 | $20.77 |
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 | $3,076.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,538.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,420 |
| Weekly | $710 |
| Hourly | $17.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $46,640 | 1,680 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $38,670 | 1,190 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $38,050 | 5,880 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Bartender | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,740 | $17.19 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Dishwasher | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,470 | $17.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 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 35-3031. 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 New Mexico?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in New Mexico is $36,920 a year, or $17.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in New Mexico earn at least $69,410 a year. The top 25% earn $56,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,670 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $28,570 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in New Mexico?
About 12,740 waiters and waitresses are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.