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Las Cruces, NM · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Las Cruces, NM

In the Las Cruces, NM metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $34,300 ($16.49/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,500/year and the 90th was $42,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Mexico tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,233 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,300$16.49 per hour · $2,858 monthly
10th Percentile$27,500$13.22/hr base
25th Percentile$29,600$14.23/hr base
75th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
90th Percentile$42,500$20.43/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 payWhat $34,000 a year leaves after tax in New MexicoFederal tax, FICA and New Mexico withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$16 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $34,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $34,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation New Mexico publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about New Mexico.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,300
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,300
Net 85%
Fed 6%
NM 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,233After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,436Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,124Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,936 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$507 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,624 / yr
Customize deductions in full New Mexico calculator

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces, NM Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NM)
10th Percentile$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$24,018
25th Percentile$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,648
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.49/hr$2,858$34,300$29,233
75th Percentile$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$30,892
90th Percentile$20.43/hr$3,542$42,500$35,454

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Las Cruces, NM

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$56,848Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.29.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio60.3%of area median income

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

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Cooks, Restaurant pay in other New Mexico metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Las Cruces, NM. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Las Cruces, NM

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

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Las Cruces, NM is $34,300, which equates to approximately $2,858 per month or $16.49 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Las Cruces, NM is $16.49 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.22/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.43/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Las Cruces, NM span from $27,500 at the 10th percentile to $29,600 at the 25th, $36,500 at the 75th, and $42,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $34,300, an estimated $29,233 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,124 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Mexico in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,067 (an effective rate of 14.8%).

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

On the median annual salary of $34,300, gross monthly income is $2,858. After federal, FICA, and New Mexico state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,436 per month (or $1,124 every two weeks).

Is $34,300 a good salary in Las Cruces, NM?

At $34,300, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 60.3% of the Las Cruces, NM median household income ($56,848). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.2, making regional consumer goods and services 9.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.