Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $29.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Albuquerque, NM runs $29.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,744 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly pay of $29.44, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This difference reflects various factors, such as the local economy and cost of living, which stands at 95.546 compared to the national average. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly wage can still provide a solid income in a profession that often thrives in outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings. Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Albuquerque can expect to earn around $17.04 per hour, while more experienced practitioners can command up to $41.34 per hour, highlighting the growth potential in this rewarding career.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.04 | $136.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.81 | $174.48 |
| Median (P50) | $29.44 | $235.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.61 | $300.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.34 | $330.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $29.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.44/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $61,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,331. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,177.70 | $5,103 | $61,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.62 | $3,062 | $36,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.08 | $2,041 | $24,496 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Albuquerque) | $29.44 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $61,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.60% below the New Mexico state average of $66,285.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.44/hr = $36,744/year (purchasing power: $38,457).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,240/year (purchasing power: $64,095).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Albuquerque grew 0.1% from $28.63/hr (2019) to $28.66/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Albuquerque
For a part-time physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can be approximately $36,697, which, while less than a full-time salary, still provides a reasonable livelihood in Albuquerque. Per diem positions, which are becoming increasingly common, often pay between $32 and $48 per hour, allowing for greater flexibility and potential for higher earnings in specific settings. Specialty roles, such as those in outpatient orthopedic clinics or pediatric therapy programs, may yield different rates than those in skilled nursing facilities that have been impacted by the 15% Medicare cut, which affects compensation. Many physical therapist assistants must evaluate the trade-offs of higher pay versus the stability benefits of jobs offering health insurance. Negotiation is essential in securing competitive pay, so approaching discussions with concrete salary comparisons in mind can be beneficial for those navigating opportunities across diverse employer types in Albuquerque, NM.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Albuquerque in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Albuquerque?
Are physical therapist assistants in Albuquerque paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Albuquerque?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Albuquerque?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Albuquerque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov