Food Preparation Workers pay in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the median pay for food preparation workers is $16.04 an hour ($33,370 a year). About 6,850 people work in this job there.
That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). New Mexico ranks 32nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in New Mexico
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.12 | $27,290 |
| 25% of workers | $13.75 | $28,590 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.04 | $33,370 |
| 75% of workers | $17.23 | $35,840 |
| 90% of workers | $18.37 | $38,200 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in New Mexico metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $36,120 | 560 |
| Albuquerque | $34,380 | 2,570 |
| Las Cruces | $32,360 | 830 |
| Farmington | $31,030 | 320 |
New Mexico unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,700 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,020 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,470 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,360 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,190 |
| Bakers | $34,850 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,640 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,250 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.