Medical Assistant Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $41,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $41,148/year (≈ $19.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $43,066 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $41,148 for medical assistants in Albuquerque, NM, the compensation levels here reflect the city’s diverse healthcare market. Salaries range from $37,978 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $50,281 for those in higher-paying roles (90th percentile). This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights how the bilingual premium can influence earnings, particularly in a culturally rich area like Albuquerque, where proficiency in languages such as Spanish can provide a competitive edge. Given the local healthcare landscape, job seekers can find opportunities across various sectors, including primary care offices and specialty practices, shaping upward trends in compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,978 | $18.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,122 | $18.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,148 | $19.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,281 | $24.17 |
Median Salary Position
14.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,303 (2026 est.). At $41,148, the local median is 14.21% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albuquerque Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $41,148/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $45,268 | -9.10% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -14.21% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $41,148 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,066 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,050
2025 BLS Actual
$39,200
2026 Current Est.
$41,148
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,193 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 26.2% from $31,050 (2019) to $39,200 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,193 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,143 (39.11%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,978 – $39,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,122 – $41,148 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,148 – $48,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,790 – $50,281 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Albuquerque
The job market for medical assistants in Albuquerque is solid, with approximately 2,570 professionals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index in the region stands at 95.546, indicating that residents enjoy a lifestyle below the national average, which can positively impact take-home pay. Notably, healthcare employers associated with urgent care chains, specialty practices, and corporate occupational clinics often offer the most competitive salaries. The variance between lower and higher compensation levels often stems from the type of practice—where specialty sectors like dermatology typically pay a premium over general practice roles—and certifications that enhance a medical assistant’s qualifications. To maximize earnings in this region, pursuing additional certifications or focusing on bilingual skills will serve as effective strategies for any medical assistant looking to increase their market value in Albuquerque, NM.
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,200 for medical assistantsin the Albuquerque metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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