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Average Food Preparation Workers Salary in Santa Fe, NM

Food Preparation Workers in Santa Fe, NM, earn an average annual salary of $35,740, exceeding the national average of $33,810. This higher pay is likely influenced by Santa Fe's unique economic landscape and potentially higher demand for skilled culinary support staff within its vibrant hospitality sector.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $35,740 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 31.0% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $42,040.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 620 Food Preparation Workers and a Location Quotient of 1.76, Santa Fe demonstrates a significantly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average. This suggests a robust and potentially growing job market for food preparation professionals in the area, indicating strong local demand.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$35,740

The average Food Preparation Workers in Santa Fe, NM earns+5.7%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$17.2

Weekly

$687

Monthly

$2,978

Food Preparation Workers Salary Distribution in Santa Fe, NM

Career progression for Food Preparation Workers typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more senior roles, often accompanied by a salary increase. While specific percentile data is unavailable, the gap between starting wages and those earned by experienced professionals generally widens, reflecting accumulated skills, responsibilities, and specialization.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$29,350$14.1
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,805$12.9
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$34,910$16.8
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$44,675$21.5
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$42,040$20.2

Detailed Food Preparation Workers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$35,740

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$35,740

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $35,740 in Santa Fe aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Food Preparation Worker's salary in Santa Fe is equivalent to the national average, offering stability for those considering a move.

Job Market Context

620

Total Jobs

10.142

Per 1K Jobs

1.76

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Santa Fe, NM has 1.8x the national concentration of Food Preparation Workers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

A Location Quotient of 1.76 signifies that Food Preparation Workers are more than 75% more concentrated in Santa Fe than in the average U.S. location. This indicates a strong local demand and a potentially competitive market for employers seeking to fill these roles, while offering good opportunities for job seekers.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Food Preparation Workers

CitySalaryDist.
Albuquerque, NM Food Preparation Workers Salary$31,230↓ 13%54 mi
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation Workers Salary$29,520↓ 17%59 mi
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation Workers Salary$29,450↓ 18%59 mi

Comparing salaries near Santa Fe, NM

Hiring Food Preparation Workerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Food Preparation Workers make in Santa Fe, NM?

The median annual salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Santa Fe, NM is $35,740. This typically ranges from $29,350 for entry-level positions to $42,040 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Santa Fe, NM is 5.7% higher than the national median of $33,810.

Is Santa Fe, NM a lucrative place for Food Preparation Workerss?

Yes, with a salary above the national average and a strong local concentration.Food Preparation Workers in Santa Fe earn $35,740 annually, surpassing the national average, and the area shows a higher concentration of these jobs, indicating good local demand.

Is Santa Fe, NM a good place to live for Food Preparation Workers?

The Cost of Living Index in Santa Fe, NM is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Fe, NM?

Some top paying nearby cities include Albuquerque, NM ($31,230) and Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area.

How does Santa Fe's cost of living compare to the national average?

Santa Fe's Cost of Living Index is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning the general cost of goods and services is comparable nationwide.

What does a Location Quotient of 1.76 mean for job availability?

A Location Quotient of 1.76 suggests that Food Preparation Worker jobs are significantly more prevalent in Santa Fe relative to its population compared to the national average, implying strong demand.

How many Food Preparation Workers are there in Santa Fe, NM?

There are approximately 620 Food Preparation Workers employed in Santa Fe, NM.

Are Food Preparation Worker jobs in Santa Fe, NM growing?

While specific growth rates aren't detailed, the high Location Quotient suggests a robust market, which often correlates with stable or growing employment opportunities in specialized sectors.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 620 employees in the Santa Fe, NM area with a job density of 10.142 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Food Preparation Workers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Fe, NM