Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in New Mexico
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$26,670
- 25th Percentile — Junior$28,570
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,920
- 75th Percentile — Senior$56,940
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$69,410
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in New Mexico earn more than $36,920. The top 10% make $69,410 or more, while entry-level workers start around $26,670.
Waiters and Waitresses in New Mexico: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Mexico ranks 18th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $43,210 per year (7.9% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 12,740 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in New Mexico — 0.6% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.00: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in New Mexico than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $26,670; the top 10% earn over $69,410.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.77 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in New Mexico, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($67,080).
Waiters and Waitresses 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. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $43,210 on average, placing the state 18th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Mexico salary of $43,210 is roughly equivalent to $49,102 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($44,600), Massachusetts ($44,480), Maryland ($43,950) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses 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
- Chefs and Head Cooks $67,080/yr New Mexico +55.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,660/yr New Mexico +1.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $41,500/yr New Mexico 4.0% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,130/yr New Mexico 14.1% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,070/yr New Mexico 18.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $32,010/yr New Mexico 25.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,230/yr New Mexico 27.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,260/yr New Mexico 30.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in New Mexico?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in New Mexico is $43,210 per year (median $36,920), which is 7.9% above the national average of $40,060.
How does New Mexico rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
New Mexico ranks 18th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in New Mexico?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in New Mexico earn about $26,670 per year and the 25th percentile is $28,570.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in New Mexico?
About $20.77 per hour, based on the $43,210 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in New Mexico?
BLS counts 12,740 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in New Mexico (OEWS May 2025).
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