How much does a food preparation worker make in Las Cruces?
$32,360a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Las Cruces, NM metro area. That is $15.56 an hour or $2,697 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.56
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 198 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 830
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,550Median: $32,360Highest 10%: $35,230
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,550 | $13.73 | |
| 25th | $30,370 | $14.60 | |
| Median | $32,360 | $15.56 | |
| 75th | $34,680 | $16.67 | |
| 90th | $35,230 | $16.94 |
Other cities in New Mexico
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Santa Fe, NM | $36,120 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $34,380 |
| Farmington, NM | $31,030 |
Related jobs in Las Cruces
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,870 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $38,670 |
| Cook | $36,060 |
| Bartender | $34,470 |
| Cook | $30,980 |
| Dishwasher | $29,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,750 |
| Cook | $28,390 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,560 |
| Host and Hostess | $27,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Las Cruces?
The median hourly pay in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $15.56 ($32,360 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Las Cruces than the national average?
No: $32,360 against $35,320 nationally, 8% less.
How does Las Cruces compare with the rest of New Mexico?
The median in New Mexico is $33,370, so Las Cruces pays 3% less.
Where does Las Cruces rank for food preparation worker pay?
198 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Las Cruces?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,550 or less a year; the top 10% make $35,230 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.