Food Preparation Workers Salary in Las Cruces, NM

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

Median annual salary $31,390 -8.3% vs national
Median hourly $15.09
10th percentile $26,060
90th percentile $34,300
Employed locally 1,160
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Las Cruces, NM
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,060
    25th
    $27,730
    50th (median)
    $31,390
    75th
    $33,660
    90th
    $34,300

    Las Cruces economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,663 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 56% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 44% below the area median household income

    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

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $40,220
    Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $38,390
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $38,060
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $37,920
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $37,330
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,290

    Related occupations in Las Cruces, NM

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,480
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,220
    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 Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Las Cruces?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Las Cruces, NM is $15.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.94 or more per hour.

    Is Las Cruces above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Las Cruces, NM is 8.3% 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 Las Cruces?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,060 per year in Las Cruces, NM. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,730.