Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Santa Fe, NM
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median of $39,370 a year ($18.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,340 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 8% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $36,470. There are 2.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Santa Fe, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| 25th percentile | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| Median | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| 75th percentile | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Average (mean) | $41,790 | $20.09 |
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 | $3,280.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,640.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,514.23 |
| Weekly | $757.12 |
| Hourly | $18.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,370 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Fe, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,810 | $14.81 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,290 | $22.74 |
| Bartender | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $32,260 | $15.51 |
| Dishwasher | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $72,020 | $34.62 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Santa Fe, NM
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 Santa Fe, NM?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $39,370 a year, or $18.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Santa Fe, NM?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn at least $50,340 a year. The top 25% earn $48,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Santa Fe, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,900 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $36,240 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Santa Fe, NM?
About 170 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Santa Fe, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.