Food Preparation Workers Salary in Eastern New Mexico

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $28,330 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.62
10th percentile $26,490
90th percentile $35,290
Employed locally 1,990
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Eastern New Mexico
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,490
    25th
    $27,040
    50th (median)
    $28,330
    75th
    $30,480
    90th
    $35,290

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Related occupations in Eastern New Mexico

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,050
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,500
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,070
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,720
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,150
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Eastern New Mexico?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Eastern New Mexico is $13.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.51 or more per hour.

    Is Eastern New Mexico above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Eastern New Mexico is 17.2% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Eastern New Mexico?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,490 per year in Eastern New Mexico. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,040.