How much does a food preparation worker make in Albuquerque?
$34,380a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area. That is $16.53 an hour or $2,865 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.53
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 160 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,570
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,290Median: $34,380Highest 10%: $38,320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,290 | $13.12 | |
| 25th | $29,500 | $14.18 | |
| Median | $34,380 | $16.53 | |
| 75th | $36,250 | $17.43 | |
| 90th | $38,320 | $18.42 |
Other cities in New Mexico
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Santa Fe, NM | $36,120 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $32,360 |
| Farmington, NM | $31,030 |
Related jobs in Albuquerque
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $60,040 |
| Cook | $38,860 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,270 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $38,050 |
| Cook | $37,740 |
| Bartender | $37,400 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $36,890 |
| Cook | $35,190 |
| Food Server | $35,160 |
| Dishwasher | $31,540 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Albuquerque?
The median hourly pay in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $16.53 ($34,380 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Albuquerque than the national average?
No: $34,380 against $35,320 nationally, 3% less.
How does Albuquerque compare with the rest of New Mexico?
The median in New Mexico is $33,370, so Albuquerque pays 3% more.
Where does Albuquerque rank for food preparation worker pay?
160 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Albuquerque?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,320 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.