Chef Salary in Albuquerque, NM — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living (index: 93). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chef Salary in Albuquerque — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Albuquerque
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Albuquerque
Albuquerque has a metro population of 920,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.7% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Albuquerque
Other Professions in Albuquerque
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chef make in Albuquerque, NM?
The estimated median salary for a Chef in Albuquerque is $54,796 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Albuquerque's cost of living index (93). The typical salary range runs from $39,851 (25th percentile) to $74,939 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $98,320.
Is Albuquerque affordable for a Chef?
On a $54,796 annual salary, a Chef in Albuquerque would spend approximately 19.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($900/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Albuquerque relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $285,000 is 5.2× the annual salary.
How does a Chef's salary compare to Albuquerque's overall income?
Albuquerque's median household income is $57,800. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $54,796 earns 5.2% less than the typical Albuquerque household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Albuquerque has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.