Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in New Mexico
Fast Food and Counter Workers in New Mexico earn a median of $28,700 a year ($13.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 28,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,360 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $31,200. New Mexico ranks 32nd of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 32 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,670 | $12.82 |
| 25th percentile | $28,070 | $13.50 |
| Median | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| 75th percentile | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Average (mean) | $30,260 | $14.55 |
Half of fast food and counter workers 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 | $2,391.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,195.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,103.85 |
| Weekly | $551.92 |
| Hourly | $13.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,700 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.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $30,810 | 1,950 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $29,140 | 14,510 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $27,560 | 2,870 |
| Farmington, NM | $27,420 | 1,730 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Bartender | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,740 | $17.19 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Dishwasher | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,470 | $17.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 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 35-3023. 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 fast food and counter workers make in New Mexico?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in New Mexico is $28,700 a year, or $13.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in New Mexico earn at least $36,360 a year. The top 25% earn $30,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,670 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $28,070 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in New Mexico?
About 28,250 fast food and counter workers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.