How much does a Food Assistant make in New Mexico? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Assistant in New Mexico is $26,297 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $13.

However, a Food Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $30,070
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $24,347 to $28,272
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $22,571

Key Factors That Influence Food Assistant Salaries

A Food Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Food Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $25,509
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $26,160
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $26,489
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $26,571
  • Expert (over 8 years): $26,708
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Food Assistant less than 1 year $25,509
Early Career Level Food Assistant 1-2 years $26,160
Mid-Level Level Food Assistant 2-4 years $26,489
Senior-Level Level Food Assistant 5-8 years $26,571
Expert Level Food Assistant over 8 years $26,708

Top Paying Cities for Food Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Algodones: $26,577
  • Belen: $26,429
  • Bernalillo: $26,624

Food Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Food Assistant positions in Financial Services or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $36,816 $18.0 40%
MFG Nondurable $35,501 $17.0 35%
Business Services $34,186 $16.0 30%
Aerospace & Defense $32,871 $16.0 25%
Insurance $31,556 $15.0 20%

Food Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$24,347
Average $26,297/year
$28,272
$2,029
Average $2,191/month
$2,356
$468
Average $506/week
$544
$12
Average $13/hour
$14
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $28,272 $2,356 $544 $14
Average $26,297 $2,191 $506 $13
25th Percentile $24,347 $2,029 $468 $12

Find Your Next Food Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • KFC | Hobbs, NM

    KFC | Hobbs, NM

    KFC Team Member. Team members make the biggest impact on our guest experience and bring our restaurants to life. As part of our KFC Family, you will be par... more

    8 Days Ago

  • KFC | Carlsbad, NM

    KFC | Carlsbad, NM

    KFC Team Member. Team members make the biggest impact on our guest experience and bring our restaurants to life. As part of our KFC Family, you will be par... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Taco Bell | Tucumcari, NM

    Taco Bell | Tucumcari, NM

    Taco Bell - 2410 South 1st Street - Responsibilities: Be an expert on the menu and build menu items to proper specifications. Mark customizations using cur... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Taco Bell | Moriarty, NM

    Taco Bell | Moriarty, NM

    Taco Bell - - Responsibilities: Be an expert on the menu and build menu items to proper specifications. Communicate effectively between the line and the fr... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Ruth's Chris Steak House | Albuquerque, NM

    Ruth's Chris Steak House | Albuquerque, NM

    Join Our Team. Since Ruth's Chris was founded in 1965, the most important ingredient in our recipe for success has been a team of hard-working people with ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • KFC | Roswell, NM

    KFC | Roswell, NM

    KFC Team Member. Team members make the biggest impact on our guest experience and bring our restaurants to life. As part of our KFC Family, you will be par... more

    10 Days Ago

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