PT Assistant Salary

Deming vs Las Cruces: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Deming, NM and Las Cruces, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Deming, NM
$61,873
$29.75/hr
Las Cruces, NM
$62,891
$30.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDeming, NMLas Cruces, NM
Median Salary$61,873$62,891
Hourly Rate$29.75$30.23
Entry Level (P10)$47,788$29,699
25th Percentile$56,873$49,208
75th Percentile$69,719$79,605
Top Earner (P90)$76,827$84,495
Total Employed4100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Deming ($61,873) and Las Cruces ($62,891) physical therapist assistant salaries.DemingLas CrucesMedian Salary$61,873$62,891Entry Level (P10)$47,788$29,699Top Earner (P90)$76,827$84,495US Median $70,247

Verdict

Las Cruces, NM offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Deming.

The salary gap between Deming and Las Cruces is $1,018 (1.65%). Las Cruces's median is -10.47% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Deming spans $29,039,Las Cruces spans $54,796. Las Cruces has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Deming
P10 (Entry)$47,788
P25$56,873
Median$61,873
P75$69,719
P90 (Top)$76,827
Las Cruces
P10 (Entry)$29,699
P25$49,208
Median$62,891
P75$79,605
P90 (Top)$84,495

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Las Cruces ($69,715 effective) pays 6.36% more than Deming ($65,543 effective).

Deming
Nominal: $61,873
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $65,543
Las Cruces
Nominal: $62,891
CoL Index: 90.212
Adjusted: $69,715

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Deming if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Las Cruces if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,891/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,495)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,715)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Deming grew 0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.8% growth in Las Cruces over the same period.

Deming, NM

+0.6%

$59,894 (2024) → $60,229 (2025)

Las Cruces, NM

+16.8%

$52,410 (2019) → $61,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Deming or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $62,891/year, compared to Deming at $61,873/year — a difference of $1,018 (1.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Deming and Las Cruces?

Deming physical therapist assistants earn $29.75/hr while Las Cruces hygienists earn $30.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Deming to Las Cruces as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Deming and Las Cruces. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Deming = $65,543, Las Cruces = $69,715), job availability (4 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Deming vs Las Cruces?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $47,788 in Deming and $29,699 in Las Cruces. The Deming area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov