Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Las Cruces, NM

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

Median annual salary $34,120 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.41
10th percentile $24,960
90th percentile $58,230
Employed locally 1,290
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Las Cruces, NM
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,960
    25th
    $27,000
    50th (median)
    $34,120
    75th
    $45,530
    90th
    $58,230

    Las Cruces economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,663 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 61% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 39% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $48,480
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,320
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $46,020
    Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area $45,030

    Related occupations in Las Cruces, NM

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,480
    Food Preparation Workers $31,390
    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 Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Las Cruces?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Las Cruces, NM is $16.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.13 or more per hour.

    Is Las Cruces above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Las Cruces, NM is 1.1% above the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Las Cruces?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $24,960 per year in Las Cruces, NM. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,000.