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2026 Salary Data — Albuquerque, NM
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Albuquerque: $90K Median

Physical Therapists in Albuquerque, NM earn between $68K and $117K per year.

That's -10% below the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Albuquerque, NM is $89,739 per year — -10% below the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $67,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $117,000 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Albuquerque earned approximately $13,597 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$89,739
+560.0% YoY · $7,478/mo
Entry
$70,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$103,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$117,000
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Albuquerque vs Nearby
Albuquerque
$90K
Jacksonville
$92K
-2% vs Albuquerque
Columbus
$97K
-7% vs Albuquerque
Tucson
$90K
+0% vs Albuquerque

Free ATS scan · Albuquerque employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Albuquerque

Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through evidence-based treatment plans, manual therapy, and exercise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient evaluation
  • Treatment planning
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise prescription
  • Documentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

In-demand certifications

DPTOCS (Orthopedic Specialist)SCS (Sports)NCS (Neurologic)

Albuquerque Job Market

Defense research hub with affordable cost of living.

Population
562K
Cost of Living
94
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Albuquerque

GovernmentDefense (Sandia)HealthcareTechTourism

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Albuquerque or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Outpatient clinics
Sports medicine practices
Home health agencies
Schools

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physical Therapist listings.

Telehealth PTSports medicinePelvic healthManual therapy specialtyDirect access

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DPTmanual therapypatient evaluationorthopedicsports rehabilitationEMR (WebPT)evidence-based practice
Career Outlook
+14% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population.

Physical Therapist Salary Breakdown — Albuquerque

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$67,500$89,739$117,000
Monthly$5,625$7,478$9,750
Weekly$1,298$1,726$2,250
Hourly$32$43$56

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Albuquerque's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Albuquerque

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,391.131
Per month$5,616
Biweekly paycheck$2,592
Effective tax rate24.9%

Tax Breakdown on $89,739

Gross salary$89,739
Federal income tax−$11,444.58
New Mexico state tax−$4,038.255
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,865.034
Take-home (net)$67,391.131

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physical Therapist Salary by Experience — Albuquerque

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Albuquerque.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$64,584
2–3 yr$70,200
4–6 yr$86,850
7–10 yr$103,500
11–15 yr$122,130
15+ yr$110,250

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Albuquerque's 0.90× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$13,597
2026 median:$89,739
Change:+$76,142

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth PT and Sports medicine.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$95,467
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Albuquerque

Walk-away anchor: $81,581 (offers below this are below market for Albuquerque).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $104K–$117K for experienced roles, citing Albuquerque market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Albuquerque

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Albuquerque, NM?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Albuquerque is $89,739 per year as of April 2026 — $7,478/month, $1,726/week, or about $43/hour. Salaries range from $67,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $117,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Albuquerque's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×).
Is $89,739 a good Physical Therapist salary in Albuquerque?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Albuquerque's cost-of-living index is 94 (vs 100 nationally), giving $89,739 a real purchasing power of approximately $95,467 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $89,739 in Albuquerque?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Albuquerque specifically (median home price $320,000), a $89,739 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $89,739 enough for a single person in Albuquerque?
A single adult in Albuquerque typically needs ~$42,300 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $89,739 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $89,739 enough for a couple in Albuquerque?
A couple (one earner) in Albuquerque typically needs ~$67,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $89,739 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $89,739 each ($179,478 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $89,739 enough for a family of 4 in Albuquerque?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Albuquerque typically needs ~$103,400 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $89,739 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Albuquerque. Childcare costs in Albuquerque typically run $14K-$26K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Albuquerque?
On a $89,739 Physical Therapist salary in Albuquerque, NM, you take home approximately $67,391.131 per year ($5,616/month, $2,592 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,444.58, state $4,038.255, FICA $6,865.034. Effective tax rate: 24.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Albuquerque earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Albuquerque earn approximately 10% less than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $89,739 in Albuquerque). However, Albuquerque's cost-of-living index of 94 means real purchasing power is approximately $95,467 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Albuquerque?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Albuquerque typically start at around $70,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $103,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $117,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Albuquerque increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Albuquerque grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,597 in 2025 to $89,739 in 2026 (+$76,142). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth PT and Sports medicine demand.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Albuquerque?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Albuquerque's top industries include Government, Defense (Sandia), Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Physical Therapists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physical Therapists are: Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health, Manual therapy specialty, Direct access. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Albuquerque.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Albuquerque?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Albuquerque include: Hospital systems, Outpatient clinics, Sports medicine practices, Home health agencies, Schools. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physical Therapist salary in Albuquerque?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary in Albuquerque?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DPT or OCS (Orthopedic Specialist)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physical Therapist in Albuquerque?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Albuquerque's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physical Therapist salary figures for Albuquerque are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Albuquerque's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.90× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Albuquerque

Occupational Therapist →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$93KJacksonville, FL$92KIndianapolis, IN$93KDetroit, MI$93KMemphis, TN$88KOklahoma City, OK$88KLas Vegas, NV$95KLouisville, KY$91K

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