Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $61,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $61,248/year (≈ $29.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $64,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $61,248 in 2026, the compensation for physical therapist assistants in Albuquerque is reflective of local productivity expectations, particularly the average number of patient visits per day. Salary ranges from $35,452 at the lower end (P10) to $85,985 at the higher end (P90), demonstrating the potential for significant income variation based on experience, workplace setting, and productivity. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight how a robust job market combined with effective patient care can shape the financial landscape for those in the profession. Despite being below the national median of $70,247, the salary structure directly ties to the demand for services and the reimbursement rates from Medicare, which have been impacted by policy changes in recent years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,452 | $17.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,355 | $21.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,248 | $29.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,229 | $37.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,985 | $41.34 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,533 (2026 est.). At $61,248, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be above the median
How Albuquerque Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $61,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $66,285 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.81% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,248 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,103 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,560
2025 BLS Actual
$59,620
2026 Current Est.
$61,248
2019–2027 Growth
+5.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,920 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 0.1% from $59,560 (2019) to $59,620 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,920 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,360 (5.64%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,452 – $45,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,355 – $61,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,248 – $78,229 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,229 – $85,985 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Albuquerque
Currently, approximately 370 physical therapist assistants are employed in Albuquerque, giving the local job market a solid base. With a cost-of-living index of 95.546, living expenses in Albuquerque are generally lower than the national average, which helps improve the take-home purchasing power for PTAs. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics—both chains and private practices—tend to offer higher salaries, while skilled nursing facilities have faced challenges due to recent Medicare cuts, placing pressure on compensation for PTAs in those settings. The disparity in earnings is influenced by factors such as workplace setting, patient volume expectations, and added premiums for weekend or PRN shifts. For those looking to maximize pay in this Albuquerque market, focusing on settings that are less reliant on Medicare reimbursements, such as outpatient clinics, and pursuing further education can be beneficial strategies in the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Albuquerque, NM in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,620 for physical therapist assistantsin the Albuquerque metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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