Albuquerque, NM · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Albuquerque, NM

In the Albuquerque, NM metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $36,300 ($17.45/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,100/year and the 90th was $45,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Mexico tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,741 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,300$17.45 per hour · $3,025 monthly
10th Percentile$29,100$13.99/hr base
25th Percentile$31,300$15.05/hr base
75th Percentile$38,700$18.61/hr base
90th Percentile$45,000$21.63/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,300
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,300
Net 85%
Fed 6%
NM 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,741After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,562Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,182Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,176 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$606 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,777 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Albuquerque, NM

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Cooks, Restaurant in the Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NM)
10th Percentile$13.99/hr$2,425$29,100$25,264
25th Percentile$15.05/hr$2,608$31,300$26,951
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.45/hr$3,025$36,300$30,741
75th Percentile$18.61/hr$3,225$38,700$32,564
90th Percentile$21.63/hr$3,750$45,000$37,355

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Albuquerque, NM

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,783Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.54.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.3%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Mexico:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Albuquerque, NM

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Albuquerque, NM?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Albuquerque, NM is $36,300, which equates to approximately $3,025 per month or $17.45 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Albuquerque, NM?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Albuquerque, NM is $17.45 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.99/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.63/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Albuquerque, NM?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Albuquerque, NM span from $29,100 at the 10th percentile to $31,300 at the 25th, $38,700 at the 75th, and $45,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Albuquerque, NM?

On a median gross salary of $36,300, an estimated $30,741 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,182 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Mexico in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,559 (an effective rate of 15.3%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Albuquerque, NM?

On the median annual salary of $36,300, gross monthly income is $3,025. After federal, FICA, and New Mexico state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,562 per month (or $1,182 every two weeks).

Is $36,300 a good salary in Albuquerque, NM?

At $36,300, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 51.3% of the Albuquerque, NM median household income ($70,783). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.5, making regional consumer goods and services 4.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.