SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — New Mexico
New Mexico · 4 metro areas compared
At $36,470, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Mexico tracks the national median of $37,450 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,470, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Mexico tracks the national median of $37,450 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $32,330 and $39,700. The lowest tenth earn under $28,920, while the highest tenth earn more than $45,330.
Employment stands at 3,160, or 3.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, New Mexico ranks 32nd by median wage. Santa Fe leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $39,370. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 559th of 634 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,920 | −22.8% |
| 25th | $32,330 | −13.7% |
| Median (50th) | $36,470 | −2.6% |
| 75th | $39,700 | +6.0% |
| 90th | $45,330 | +21.0% |
| Mean | $37,130 | −0.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $39,370 | 170 | |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $37,740 | 1,160 | |
| 3 | Farmington | $37,310 | 250 | |
| 4 | Las Cruces | $36,060 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,470 goes as far as $39,555 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,555US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,470 a year, 2.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,920 to $45,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,160 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 32nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Fe, at $39,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Mexico?
The median annual wage is $36,470, or $17.54 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 $37,450, so pay in New Mexico is 2.6% lower. 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 New Mexico earns more than $45,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,920 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 $39,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,160 jobs in this occupation in New Mexico. 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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