Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Farmington, NM: $55,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Farmington, NM earns a median $55,577/year (≈ $26.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Farmington's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $63,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Farmington, New Mexico, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,577, which reflects a significant 20.88% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary for these healthcare professionals ranges from $31,179 at the 10th percentile to $81,095 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the impact of the structural divide in the market, particularly following the Medicare cuts that have shifted many professionals away from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) toward outpatient care settings. Given this context, job seekers in Farmington may want to consider the implications of these changes when evaluating potential job offers and working conditions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,179 | $14.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,577 | $26.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,448 | $38.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,095 | $38.99 |
Median Salary Position
20.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Farmington
In Farmington, NM, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,916 (2026 est.). At $55,577, the local median is 20.88% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Farmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Farmington Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Farmington median: $55,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Farmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $66,321 | -16.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -20.88% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Farmington, NM earn a median of $55,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.88% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 16.20% below the New Mexico state average of $66,321.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Farmington has a cost of living 12.29% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Farmington, NM has a cost-of-living index of 87.707 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $55,577 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,367 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,820
2025 BLS Actual
$54,100
2026 Current Est.
$55,577
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Farmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,094 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Farmington metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.1% from $47,820 (2019) to $54,100 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,094 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,274 (19.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Farmington 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) | $31,179 – $39,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,890 – $55,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,577 – $80,448 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,448 – $81,095 |
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 Farmington
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Farmington consists of approximately 60 PTAs, offering a somewhat competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 87.707, the local economic conditions allow for a lower-than-average living expense, slightly enhancing the purchasing power of those earning the median salary. In terms of earnings potential, outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital-based rehab services are typically the highest-paying employers for PTAs in this region, as opposed to skilled nursing facilities that have faced financial strain due to recent reimbursement cuts. Factors influencing salary variations include productivity expectations, weekend or PRN premiums, and supervisory requirements dictated by Medicare regulations. For enhanced compensation, PTAs should explore opportunities in hospitals or specialized clinics and consider pursuing further certifications or education, such as bridge programs to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Understanding the local employment dynamics and maximizing skills can lead to improved physical therapist assistant pay in Farmington, NM.
More salary data for Farmington, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Farmington, NM in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Farmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Farmington?
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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 $54,100 for physical therapist assistantsin the Farmington 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