Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $19.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Albuquerque, NM runs $19.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,681 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, NM, the current medical assistant hourly pay stands at $19.78, falling short of the national median of $23.06. This discrepancy highlights the local earning potential for those in this profession, particularly for part-time or per-diem medical assistants working in various healthcare environments, ranging from primary care exam rooms to hospital outpatient clinics. With an hourly range between $18.25 and $24.17, those new to the field can expect lower pay, while more experienced medical assistants can achieve higher earnings, especially within specialized practices. This compensation data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and projected for 2026, reflects the growing demand for medical assistants in Albuquerque, a trend fueled by the city’s expanding healthcare sector.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.25 | $146.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.81 | $150.48 |
| Median (P50) | $19.78 | $158.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.46 | $187.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.17 | $193.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $19.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.78/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $41,135 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,732. 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) | $791.05 | $3,428 | $41,135 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $474.63 | $2,057 | $24,681 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $316.42 | $1,371 | $16,454 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Albuquerque) | $19.78 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $41,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.21% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 9.10% below the New Mexico state average of $45,268.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.78/hr = $24,681/year (purchasing power: $25,831).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,135/year (purchasing power: $43,052).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Albuquerque grew 26.2% from $14.93/hr (2019) to $18.84/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.76/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical 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 4.97% 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 Medical Assistant in Albuquerque
Considering a three-day workweek, a medical assistant in Albuquerque earning an hourly wage would net approximately $30,000 annually, significantly lower than the potential income of full-time colleagues. For those pursuing per diem roles, pay often ranges between $20 and $30 per hour, with specialized areas like dermatology and plastics offering compensation that reaches $25-$38 per hour. Notably, urgent care settings may include additional stipends of $50-$150 for long shifts, enhancing overall earnings. In terms of employer types, medical assistant hourly rates can vary considerably based on the nature of the facility, impacting negotiations for those seeking jobs in community-based practices versus urgent care or corporate health clinics. Some medical assistants may prioritize benefits over higher pay rates, considering the value of health insurance and other perks when accepting a position, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual needs during negotiations in Albuquerque's competitive job market.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical 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 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov