Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Albuquerque, NM

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Albuquerque, NM

Median annual salary $51,990 -14.8% vs national
Median hourly $25.00
10th percentile $43,510
90th percentile $86,500
Employed locally 210
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Albuquerque, NM
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,510
    25th
    $43,680
    50th (median)
    $51,990
    75th
    $62,410
    90th
    $86,500

    Albuquerque economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,995 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 76% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 24% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $78,930
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $73,620
    South Florida nonmetropolitan area $69,570
    Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $68,110

    Related occupations in Albuquerque, NM

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,170
    Waiters and Waitresses $31,490
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,360
    Food Preparation Workers $30,370
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,200
    Bartenders $30,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Albuquerque?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Albuquerque, NM is $25.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.71 or more per hour.

    Is Albuquerque above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Albuquerque, NM is 14.8% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Albuquerque?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $43,510 per year in Albuquerque, NM. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,680.