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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in New Mexico for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember my time working at the local movie theater for minimum wage, enjoying the perks of free popcorn and movies. Back then, earning $5.86 per hour felt acceptable, but today, it’s hard to imagine living on such a low wage.
This nostalgia sparked my curiosity about who currently earns the least in New Mexico.
To build on our previous research about the highest paying jobs in New Mexico, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the lowest paying jobs in the state.
Our findings reveal that Gaming Dealers continue to be the lowest paid workers in New Mexico.
Here’s a snapshot of the 10 lowest paying jobs in New Mexico:
- Gaming Dealers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
- Bartenders
- Packers and Packagers, Hand
- Waiters and Waitresses
For a deeper dive into the compensation of these low-wage jobs, continue reading, or explore more about the New Mexico job landscape below:
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In New Mexico for 2026
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In New Mexico
- These Are The 100 Largest Companies In New Mexico
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in New Mexico
We reviewed the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data set covering all job classifications in New Mexico to pinpoint the lowest paying positions.
This data will be updated annually as new information becomes available from the BLS. The latest data is from May 2025.
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in New Mexico
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaming Dealers | $19,520 |
| 2 | Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $19,520 |
| 3 | Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $19,880 |
| 4 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $20,150 |
| 5 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop | $20,180 |
| 6 | Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners | $20,530 |
| 7 | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $20,530 |
| 8 | Bartenders | $20,610 |
| 9 | Packers and Packagers, Hand | $20,750 |
| 10 | Waiters and Waitresses | $20,770 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
