Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $72,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $72,116/year (≈ $34.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $73,016 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Santa Fe, NM can expect a median annual salary of $72,116, which is approximately 2.66% higher than the national median of $70,247. The salary distribution for PTAs in Santa Fe ranges from $61,289 at the 10th percentile to $96,155 at the 90th percentile. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflects the market dynamics that determine compensation levels. Factors such as visit frequency and productivity expectations play critical roles in shaping earnings, with PTAs working in high-demand settings likely to see compensation adjust accordingly. The job market in Santa Fe provides solid opportunities as the local demand remains steady.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,289 | $29.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,491 | $30.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,116 | $34.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,574 | $42.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,155 | $46.23 |
Median Salary Position
2.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,866 (2026 est.). At $72,116, the local median is 2.66% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Fe Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $72,116/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $66,284 | +8.80% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +2.66% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $72,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.66% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 8.80% above the New Mexico state average of $66,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 1.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 98.767 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $72,116 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,016 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,610
2025 BLS Actual
$70,200
2026 Current Est.
$72,116
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 28.5% from $54,610 (2019) to $70,200 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,475 (35.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe 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) | $61,289 – $62,491 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,491 – $72,116 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,116 – $88,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,574 – $96,155 |
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 Santa Fe
With 40 PTAs employed in the area, the local job market indicates a stable environment for practitioners. The cost of living index in Santa Fe is 98.767, which suggests that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may be impacted accordingly. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, followed by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Factors such as setting type, payment structures dictated by Medicare, and weekend or PRN shifts contribute to the variance in pay. The 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022 has particularly affected settings that heavily rely on Medicare reimbursements, compressing pay rates. To maximize earning potential in Santa Fe, PTAs should consider diversifying their skills and seeking roles in outpatient clinics, as well as pursuing advanced certifications that may enhance career progression.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Santa Fe, NM in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Santa Fe?
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Related Pages
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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 $70,200 for physical therapist assistantsin the Santa Fe 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