Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in New Mexico
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,370
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,540
- 50th Percentile — Median$62,250
- 75th Percentile — Senior$83,260
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,010
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in New Mexico earn more than $62,250. The top 10% make $100,010 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,370.
Chefs and Head Cooks in New Mexico: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Mexico ranks 20th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $67,080 per year (0.6% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 770 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in New Mexico — 0.4% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.69: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in New Mexico than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,370; the top 10% earn over $100,010.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.25 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in New Mexico, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($43,660).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in New Mexico
Key factors affecting compensation
New Mexico's key industries are Government, Energy, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $67,080 on average, placing the state 20th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Mexico salary of $67,080 is roughly equivalent to $76,227 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($68,130), Pennsylvania ($67,890), Oregon ($67,510) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in New Mexico
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,660/yr New Mexico 34.9% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $43,210/yr New Mexico 35.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $41,500/yr New Mexico 38.1% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,130/yr New Mexico 44.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,070/yr New Mexico 47.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $32,010/yr New Mexico 52.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,230/yr New Mexico 53.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,260/yr New Mexico 54.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in New Mexico?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in New Mexico is $67,080 per year (median $62,250), which is 0.6% above the national average of $66,700.
How does New Mexico rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
New Mexico ranks 20th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in New Mexico?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in New Mexico earn about $43,370 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,540.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in New Mexico?
About $32.25 per hour, based on the $67,080 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in New Mexico?
BLS counts 770 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in New Mexico (OEWS May 2025).
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