Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in New Mexico
Butchers and Meat Cutters in New Mexico earn a median of $36,640 a year ($17.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,930 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $40,140. New Mexico ranks 45th of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 0.93 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| 25th percentile | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Median | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| 75th percentile | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Average (mean) | $40,260 | $19.36 |
Half of butchers and meat cutters 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 | $3,053.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,526.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,409.23 |
| Weekly | $704.62 |
| Hourly | $17.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $46,880 | 90 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $36,510 | 350 |
| Farmington, NM | $36,510 | 40 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $33,070 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for butchers and meat cutters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $51,670 |
| Alaska | $50,450 |
| Hawaii | $50,080 |
| Oregon | $49,360 |
| District of Columbia | $48,760 |
| Massachusetts | $48,430 |
| New Hampshire | $47,740 |
| Colorado | $47,490 |
| New York | $47,080 |
| Delaware | $47,040 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Food Batchmaker | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $30,560 | $14.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $30,850 | $14.83 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3021. 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 butchers and meat cutters make in New Mexico?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in New Mexico is $36,640 a year, or $17.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in New Mexico earn at least $49,930 a year. The top 25% earn $47,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,170 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $33,750 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in New Mexico?
About 810 butchers and meat cutters are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.