Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Rio Rancho, NM: $65.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Rio Rancho, NM runs $65.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Rio Rancho's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,840 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Rio Rancho, NM, earn a median hourly pay of $65.58, which is slightly lower than the national median of $67.50. This rate facilitates various working arrangements, including part-time and per-diem positions, often found in diverse healthcare settings like ambulatory clinics, urgent care facilities, operating rooms, and hospital floors. With an hourly threshold ranging from about $46.39 for entry-level roles to $93.76 for the top earners, the flexibility of this profession can appeal to both seasoned and newly graduated PAs. These figures are informed by annual salary data, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available for those willing to adapt to different work environments.
About the Rio Rancho Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.39 | $371.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.90 | $455.19 |
| Median (P50) | $65.58 | $524.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.28 | $642.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.76 | $750.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rio Rancho
Based on $65.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.58/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rio Rancho, NM can expect to earn approximately $136,401 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,693. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rio Rancho.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rio Rancho
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,623.09 | $11,367 | $136,401 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,573.85 | $6,820 | $81,840 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,049.24 | $4,547 | $54,560 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Rio Rancho) | $65.58 |
| 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 Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $136,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $132,565.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.58/hr = $81,840/year (purchasing power: $86,695).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,401/year (purchasing power: $144,492).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Rio Rancho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Rio Rancho grew 21.0% from $52.44/hr (2019) to $63.47/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.75/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 Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho
When considering a part-time schedule of three days a week, a physician assistant could take home approximately $51,587 annually based on a 24-hour work week. Per diem or locum tenens positions can yield higher rates; for instance, orthopedic surgical PAs may command $1,200 to $1,800 daily for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine shifts typically range from $900 to $1,400 for 12 hours. Hourly earnings can significantly vary depending on the type of employer in Rio Rancho. Hospitals and surgical specialty practices often provide W-2 positions with benefits, while 1099 locum agencies might offer higher hourly rates but without health insurance. This trade-off means that PAs need to weigh their priorities when negotiating pay; those seeking benefits may accept lower rates, while others might leverage higher hourly wages for greater financial independence. Effective negotiation can involve clearly communicating your scope of practice and specialties, reflecting the demand and value you bring to potential employers in the area.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Rio Rancho in 2026?
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Are physician assistants in Rio Rancho paid hourly or salary?
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Related Pages
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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 Rio Rancho. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rio Rancho 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 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