SOC 35-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — Eastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
In Eastern New Mexico, NM the median wage is $28,140.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Eastern New Mexico, NM the median wage is $28,140. That is 17.2% lower than the national median of $33,980. Pay ranges from under $25,470 at the tenth percentile to more than $35,310 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $26,470 to $29,470.
The area has 560 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.97 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Santa Fe records the highest median at $32,260. Of the 370 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 361st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,470 | −25.0% |
| 25th | $26,470 | −22.1% |
| Median (50th) | $28,140 | −17.2% |
| 75th | $29,470 | −13.3% |
| 90th | $35,310 | +3.9% |
| Mean | $28,790 | −15.3% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $32,260 | 450 | |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $30,360 | 1,270 | |
| 3 | Las Cruces | $28,750 | 290 | |
| 4 | Farmington | $27,940 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $28,140 goes as far as $30,521 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,521US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,140 a year, 17.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,470 to $35,310 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 560 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Fe, at $32,260.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in Eastern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $28,140, or $13.53 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 $33,980, so pay in Eastern New Mexico, NM is 17.2% 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 Eastern New Mexico, NM earns more than $35,310 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,470 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 $32,260 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 560 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.
Explore related data