Medical Assistant Pay

Farmington vs Los Lunas: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Farmington, NM and Los Lunas, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Farmington, NM
$39,301
$18.89/hr
Los Lunas, NM
$42,079
$20.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFarmington, NMLos Lunas, NM
Median Salary$39,301$42,079
Hourly Rate$18.89$20.23
Entry Level (P10)$32,919$36,470
25th Percentile$38,314$37,198
75th Percentile$46,901$44,198
Top Earner (P90)$49,168$51,513
Total Employed3604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Farmington ($39,301) and Los Lunas ($42,079) medical assistant salaries.FarmingtonLos LunasMedian Salary$39,301$42,079Entry Level (P10)$32,919$36,470Top Earner (P90)$49,168$51,513US Median $47,961

Verdict

Los Lunas, NM offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Farmington.

The salary gap between Farmington and Los Lunas is $2,778 (7.07%). Los Lunas's median is -12.26% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Farmington spans $16,249,Los Lunas spans $15,043. Farmington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Farmington
P10 (Entry)$32,919
P25$38,314
Median$39,301
P75$46,901
P90 (Top)$49,168
Los Lunas
P10 (Entry)$36,470
P25$37,198
Median$42,079
P75$44,198
P90 (Top)$51,513

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Farmington ($44,809 effective) pays 0.53% more than Los Lunas ($44,575 effective).

Farmington
Nominal: $39,301
CoL Index: 87.707
Adjusted: $44,809
Los Lunas
Nominal: $42,079
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $44,575

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Farmington if…

  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,809)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Los Lunas if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,079/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,513)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Farmington grew 25.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.2% growth in Los Lunas over the same period.

Farmington, NM

+25.4%

$29,860 (2019) → $37,440 (2025)

Los Lunas, NM

+14.2%

$35,095 (2024) → $40,087 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Farmington or Los Lunas?

Los Lunas has a higher median medical assistant salary at $42,079/year, compared to Farmington at $39,301/year — a difference of $2,778 (7.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Farmington and Los Lunas?

Farmington medical assistants earn $18.89/hr while Los Lunas hygienists earn $20.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Farmington to Los Lunas as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Farmington and Los Lunas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Farmington = $44,809, Los Lunas = $44,575), job availability (360 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Farmington vs Los Lunas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $32,919 in Farmington and $36,470 in Los Lunas. The Los Lunas area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% 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 Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov