Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in New Mexico
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Mexico earn a median of $36,470 a year ($17.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,330 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,450. New Mexico ranks 32nd of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 3.6 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,920 | $13.91 |
| 25th percentile | $32,330 | $15.54 |
| Median | $36,470 | $17.54 |
| 75th percentile | $39,700 | $19.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,330 | $21.80 |
| Average (mean) | $37,130 | $17.85 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $3,039.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,519.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,402.69 |
| Weekly | $701.35 |
| Hourly | $17.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,470 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.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $39,370 | 170 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $37,740 | 1,160 |
| Farmington, NM | $37,310 | 250 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $36,060 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Bartender | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Dishwasher | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,740 | $17.19 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,250 | $17.43 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria make in New Mexico?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in New Mexico is $36,470 a year, or $17.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in New Mexico earn at least $45,330 a year. The top 25% earn $39,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,920 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $32,330 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in New Mexico?
About 3,160 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.