Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $69.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Albuquerque, NM runs $69.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $144,565 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,740 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $69.50 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, physician assistants enjoy a competitive advantage over the national median of $67.50. This rate translates well for part-time and per-diem workers, such as those who may work three days a week or in specialized roles across various healthcare settings—including operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. The hourly range for physician assistants in Albuquerque varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $34.49, while top earners can command up to $89.12 per hour, reflecting the robust demand for PAs in the region. These statistics, derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the opportunities available in this profession.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.49 | $275.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.78 | $422.21 |
| Median (P50) | $69.50 | $556.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.12 | $608.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.12 | $712.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $69.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.50/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $144,567 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,404. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,780.13 | $12,047 | $144,567 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,668.08 | $7,228 | $86,740 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,112.05 | $4,819 | $57,827 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Albuquerque) | $69.50 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $144,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 9.10% above the New Mexico state average of $132,507.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.50/hr = $86,740/year (purchasing power: $90,784).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $144,567/year (purchasing power: $151,306).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Albuquerque grew 19.0% from $56.55/hr (2019) to $67.27/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.81/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Albuquerque
Considering part-time commitments, a physician assistant working a typical 24-hour week at the median hourly rate could earn approximately $54,528 a year, significantly less than a full-time PA. For those in a per-diem or agency role, the potential for higher pay is apparent—locum tenens professionals may charge between $75 and $130 per hour, with orthopedic surgical PAs achieving daily rates of $1,200 to $1,800. Variations in hourly earnings among employer types, from hospitals to urgent care clinics, require PAs to consider trade-offs related to benefits. Negotiating strategies become crucial as some may prefer the stability of employed positions with health insurance over freelance roles offering higher hourly rates but fewer benefits. Understanding these dynamics can empower future physician assistants in their career development here in Albuquerque and beyond.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Albuquerque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov