Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Carlsbad, NM: $62,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Carlsbad, NM earns a median $62,875/year (≈ $30.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Carlsbad's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $66,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, salaries for physical therapist assistants in Carlsbad, NM, are projected to reach a median annual income of $62,875. This figure, while competitive locally, falls approximately 10.49% below the national median of $70,247. Those in the profession can expect earnings to range significantly from $45,492 at the 10th percentile to $78,717 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variations, indicate the financial landscape in Carlsbad. As physical therapist assistants bridge the pathway to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with further education and experience, their lifetime earning potential can increase substantially, offering both motivation and opportunity within the local job market.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,492 | $21.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,735 | $26.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,875 | $30.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,845 | $34.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,717 | $37.85 |
Median Salary Position
10.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carlsbad
In Carlsbad, NM, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,225 (2026 est.). At $62,875, the local median is 10.49% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carlsbad: You'd be above the median
How Carlsbad Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Carlsbad median: $62,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carlsbad Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $66,324 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.49% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $62,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $66,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carlsbad has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carlsbad, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,875 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,620
2025 BLS Actual
$61,204
2026 Current Est.
$62,875
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,183 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,591 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carlsbad metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,620 (2019) to $61,204 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,591 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,971 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carlsbad 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) | $45,492 – $55,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,735 – $62,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,875 – $70,845 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,845 – $78,717 |
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 Carlsbad
Despite the relatively modest median compensation, the job market for physical therapist assistants in Carlsbad remains stable, with seven employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, the purchasing power of PTA salaries is slightly higher than average, allowing for a comfortable standard of living. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, which have faced pressures from Medicare reimbursement cuts. Factors that influence salary disparities include the work setting, productivity expectations, and additional compensation for weekend shifts or PRN work. To improve their earning potential, aspiring PTAs may benefit from seeking employment in outpatient orthopedic clinics and considering furthering their education in pursuit of a DPT degree, which can unlock even greater opportunities in the field.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Carlsbad?
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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 $61,204 for physical therapist assistantsin the Carlsbad 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
Salary data for Carlsbad is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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