Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Las Cruces, NM: $19.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Las Cruces, NM runs $19.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,521 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Las Cruces's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,711 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Las Cruces, the medical assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $19.00 in 2026, which is significantly below the national median of $23.06. For those in part-time roles, like a typical 3-day workweek, this translates to a potential weekly income of approximately $570, equating to roughly $29,640 for the year if maintaining consistent hours. Per-diem opportunities in medical assistant positions are particularly noteworthy, as these settings in primary care exam rooms or urgent care intake stations provide flexibility and a chance to earn on demand. The hourly range for medical assistants in this region spans from around $15.42 for entry-level positions to approximately $22.91 for those at the higher end, indicating a competitive yet varied earning potential across different workplace environments.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.42 | $123.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.05 | $144.44 |
| Median (P50) | $19.00 | $152.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.78 | $174.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.91 | $183.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Las Cruces
Based on $19.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.00/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Las Cruces, NM can expect to earn approximately $39,519 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,799. With a cost-of-living index of 90.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Las Cruces.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Las Cruces
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $759.98 | $3,293 | $39,519 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $455.99 | $1,976 | $23,711 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $303.99 | $1,317 | $15,808 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Las Cruces) | $19.00 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $39,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.60% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 12.70% below the New Mexico state average of $45,271.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.00/hr = $23,711/year (purchasing power: $26,284).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,519/year (purchasing power: $43,807).
CoL index: 90.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Las Cruces grew 38.8% from $13.04/hr (2019) to $18.10/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.94/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 Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces
Part-time medical assistants in Las Cruces can earn a stable income by working 24 hours a week, though they often earn less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Notably, per-diem medical assistants frequently command rates between $20 and $30, with specialty practices like dermatology paying even higher rates, often hitting $25 to $38 per hour. Positions in urgent care might offer 12-hour shift stipends that add an extra $50 to $150 per shift on top of the hourly base pay, enhancing earning potential significantly. Hourly rates can also vary based on the type of employer, whether it be primary care offices, urgent care chains, or federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Many medical assistants must weigh the benefits of accepting lower hourly wages that include health insurance against opportunities for higher hourly pay without benefits. For those negotiating hourly pay in Las Cruces, it's important to highlight relevant certifications from organizations like AAMA or AMT to strengthen their bargaining power.
More salary data for Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces. 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