New Mexico Median
$36,980
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $34,340
State Rank
#15 of 51
3,790 employed here
How much does a Bartender make in New Mexico?
Bartenders in New Mexico take home a median of $36,980 annually — roughly $17.78 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $34,340.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $25,720 while the top 10% make $63,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,050 and $50,630 a year.
Bartender salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,720 | $12.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,050 | $13.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,980 | $17.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $50,630 | $24.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,570 | $30.56 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories for Bartender pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bartender salary in other states
Hawaii $76,490New York $61,210Washington $55,830District of Columbia $53,920Maine $48,920Virginia $47,070Vermont $45,450Arizona $45,070New Jersey $44,020Oregon $38,900Connecticut $38,780Colorado $38,170Maryland $37,580Massachusetts $37,440Delaware $36,840Michigan $36,780North Carolina $36,470Rhode Island $36,410California $36,220Florida $35,150Utah $32,150Illinois $31,200Ohio $30,880Alaska $30,460Nebraska $30,180Missouri $30,090West Virginia $29,630South Dakota $29,400North Dakota $29,040New Hampshire $28,800Kentucky $28,780Pennsylvania $28,420Mississippi $28,320Alabama $27,980Kansas $27,940Tennessee $27,480Nevada $27,460Idaho $27,240Minnesota $26,900Montana $26,010Arkansas $25,090Oklahoma $24,790Wisconsin $23,460Georgia $22,830Indiana $22,770Texas $22,690Wyoming $22,030Iowa $21,720Louisiana $20,850South Carolina $19,370
Working as a Bartender in New Mexico
Nationally, about 756,000 people work as Bartenders in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare New Mexico pay ($36,980) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bartender make in New Mexico?
The median Bartender salary in New Mexico is $36,980 per year, or about $17.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $25,720 at the entry level to $63,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Bartenders about 8% more than the national median of $34,340. New Mexico ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Bartenders?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,980 a year. About 3,790 Bartenders are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Bartender salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.