Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Santa Fe, NM

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Fe, NM

Median annual salary $61,370 +0.6% vs national
Median hourly $29.51
10th percentile $45,900
90th percentile $98,630
Employed locally 70
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Santa Fe, NM
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,900
    25th
    $49,180
    50th (median)
    $61,370
    75th
    $78,800
    90th
    $98,630

    Santa Fe economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,689 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 82% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 18% 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 Santa Fe, NM

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,860
    Waiters and Waitresses$36,610
    Cooks, Restaurant$36,730
    Food Preparation Workers$34,910
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,750
    Bartenders$39,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Santa Fe, NM is $29.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.02 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Santa Fe, NM is 0.6% above 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 Santa Fe?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $45,900 per year in Santa Fe, NM. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,180.