Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in New Mexico
Chefs and Head Cooks in New Mexico make a median of $55,170 a year, or about $26.52 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $89K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Mexico. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $55K get you in New Mexico?
About chefs and head cooks
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Mexico
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $89K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by metro in New Mexico
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $61K | +11% | 70 |
| Albuquerque | $52K | -6% | 210 |
Compare to other states
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Mexico numbers change.
Related careers in Food Service
Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in New Mexico?
The median is $55,170 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,510, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $89,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in New Mexico?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,722/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,119/month, which eats 30.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chefs and head cooks salary go in New Mexico?
New Mexico has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chefs and head cooks salary is worth about $59,284 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chefs and head cooks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.