Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Las Cruces, NM

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Las Cruces, NM

Median annual salary $30,220 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $14.53
10th percentile $26,350
90th percentile $36,700
Employed locally 800
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Las Cruces, NM
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,350
    25th
    $28,650
    50th (median)
    $30,220
    75th
    $34,500
    90th
    $36,700

    Las Cruces economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,663 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Restaurant salary vs area income 54% Median Cooks, Restaurant salary is 46% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Restaurant salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340
    Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area $44,370
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $43,770
    Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area $43,740
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $43,570

    Related occupations in Las Cruces, NM

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,480
    Waiters and Waitresses$34,120
    Food Preparation Workers$31,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$41,390
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$33,150
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$26,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Las Cruces?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Las Cruces, NM is $14.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.63 or more per hour.

    Is Las Cruces above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Las Cruces, NM is 17.9% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Las Cruces?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $26,350 per year in Las Cruces, NM. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,650.