Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Fe, NM: $23.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Santa Fe, NM runs $23.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,255 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Santa Fe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.8, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,952 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the medical assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $23.20, slightly above the national median of $23.06. This compensation reflects the diverse roles that medical assistants play in various healthcare settings, including primary care exam rooms, specialty practice procedure rooms, and urgent care intake stations. For those seeking part-time or per-diem opportunities, working three days a week can generate a substantial income, especially considering the hourly range from $19.00 for entry-level positions to $27.91 for top earners. This official BLS data for 2026 highlights how medical assistants can navigate career paths across different practices, balancing their working hours with personal or academic commitments.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.00 | $152.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.63 | $173.07 |
| Median (P50) | $23.20 | $185.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.13 | $193.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.91 | $223.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Fe
Based on $23.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.20/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Fe, NM can expect to earn approximately $48,253 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,838. With a cost-of-living index of 98.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Santa Fe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Fe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.93 | $4,021 | $48,253 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.76 | $2,413 | $28,952 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.17 | $1,608 | $19,301 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Santa Fe) | $23.20 |
| 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 Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $48,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.61% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 6.60% above the New Mexico state average of $45,267.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.20/hr = $28,952/year (purchasing power: $29,313).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,253/year (purchasing power: $48,855).
CoL index: 98.767 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Santa Fe grew 23.7% from $17.86/hr (2019) to $22.10/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.35/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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe
Analyzing the earning potential reveals some intriguing insights for medical assistants in Santa Fe. A medical assistant working part-time, approximately 24 hours a week, might take home around $28,665 annually, while a full-time peer could see significantly higher earnings. Per diem medical assistant pay in Santa Fe can range from $20 to $30 hourly, with specialty practices like dermatology and plastics offering even more lucrative options, often hitting $25 to $38 per hour. Urgent care settings may provide added stipends of $50 to $150 for longer shifts, making this profession attractive for those willing to work flexible hours. Moreover, the hourly rates vary depending on the employer, with specialty practices often commanding higher rates than primary care offices. Some medical assistants might accept lower hourly wages for the benefits that come with full-time positions, while others prefer higher rates without the safety net of health insurance. Negotiating for hourly pay, especially in competitive sectors, requires a clear understanding of worth and market rates in Santa Fe.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Santa Fe. 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