PT Assistant Salary

Albuquerque vs Deming: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Albuquerque, NM and Deming, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albuquerque, NM
$61,248
$29.44/hr
Deming, NM
$61,873
$29.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbuquerque, NMDeming, NM
Median Salary$61,248$61,873
Hourly Rate$29.44$29.75
Entry Level (P10)$35,452$47,788
25th Percentile$45,355$56,873
75th Percentile$78,229$69,719
Top Earner (P90)$85,985$76,827
Total Employed3704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albuquerque ($61,248) and Deming ($61,873) physical therapist assistant salaries.AlbuquerqueDemingMedian Salary$61,248$61,873Entry Level (P10)$35,452$47,788Top Earner (P90)$85,985$76,827US Median $70,247

Verdict

Albuquerque and Deming are closely matched on overall physical therapist assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Albuquerque and Deming is $625 (1.02%). Deming's median is -11.92% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albuquerque spans $50,533,Deming spans $29,039. Albuquerque has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Albuquerque
P10 (Entry)$35,452
P25$45,355
Median$61,248
P75$78,229
P90 (Top)$85,985
Deming
P10 (Entry)$47,788
P25$56,873
Median$61,873
P75$69,719
P90 (Top)$76,827

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Deming ($65,543 effective) pays 2.25% more than Albuquerque ($64,103 effective).

Albuquerque
Nominal: $61,248
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $64,103
Deming
Nominal: $61,873
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $65,543

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albuquerque if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,985)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Deming if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,873/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,543)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Albuquerque grew 0.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in Deming over the same period.

Albuquerque, NM

+0.1%

$59,560 (2019) → $59,620 (2025)

Deming, NM

+0.6%

$59,894 (2024) → $60,229 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Albuquerque or Deming?

Deming has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $61,873/year, compared to Albuquerque at $61,248/year — a difference of $625 (1.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albuquerque and Deming?

Albuquerque physical therapist assistants earn $29.44/hr while Deming hygienists earn $29.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albuquerque to Deming as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albuquerque and Deming. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albuquerque = $64,103, Deming = $65,543), job availability (370 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Albuquerque vs Deming?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $35,452 in Albuquerque and $47,788 in Deming. The Deming area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov