SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Eastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Eastern New Mexico, NM is $66,550 per year, close to the national median of $62,470 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Eastern New Mexico, NM is $66,550 per year, close to the national median of $62,470 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $49,750 and $97,630. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $43,360 and the ninetieth at $97,630.
Employment stands at 140, or 0.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Santa Fe records the highest median at $72,020. Of the 370 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 131st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,360 | −30.6% |
| 25th | $49,750 | −20.4% |
| Median (50th) | $66,550 | +6.5% |
| 75th | $97,630 | +56.3% |
| 90th | $97,630 | +56.3% |
| Mean | $70,700 | +13.2% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $72,020 | 100 | |
| 2 | Las Cruces | $61,030 | 40 | |
| 3 | Albuquerque | $60,040 | 390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $66,550 goes as far as $72,180 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,550as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,180US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,550 a year, 6.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,360 to $97,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Fe, at $72,020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Eastern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $66,550, or $31.99 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Eastern New Mexico, NM is 6.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM earns more than $97,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,360 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Santa Fe, at $72,020 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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