Medical Assistant Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $48,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $48,255/year (≈ $23.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $48,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Santa Fe, New Mexico, will earn a median annual salary of $48,255, reflecting a slight edge over the national figure of $47,961. This competitive salary is situated within a range from $39,521 at the lower end (P10) to $58,059 at the higher end (P90), indicating a robust market with significant compensation variability. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, also highlights the strong influence of bilingual capabilities in a diverse community. As the demand for medical assistants grows, particularly in both primary and specialty care settings, professionals in Santa Fe can expect enhanced job opportunities, especially those who can communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients and tap into the city's unique healthcare needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,521 | $19.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,001 | $21.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,255 | $23.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,197 | $24.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,059 | $27.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,538 (2026 est.). At $48,255, the local median is 0.61% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Fe Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $48,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $45,267 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +0.61% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 1.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 98.767 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $48,255 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,857 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,140
2025 BLS Actual
$45,970
2026 Current Est.
$48,255
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 23.8% from $37,140 (2019) to $45,970 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,513 (36.38%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,521 – $45,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,001 – $48,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,255 – $50,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,197 – $58,059 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Santa Fe
The local job market for medical assistants stands firm, with around 320 individuals currently employed in the field. Santa Fe's cost of living index of 98.767 suggests that, while salaries are generally favorable, purchasing power is slightly below the national average. Notably, employers such as specialty practices and urgent care clinics often provide the most lucrative positions, particularly those focusing on fields like dermatology and orthopedics, which can command 20-40% pay premiums. Factors affecting the spread in compensation include the demand for bilingual assistants, certification levels (for instance, those with MA plus phlebotomy or EKG certification), and the emerging need for urgent care facilities. To maximize pay in the Santa Fe market, aspiring medical assistants should consider certification pathways offered by AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT and seek out positions that leverage their bilingual skills and additional credentials, ensuring they are well-prepared for a successful career in healthcare.
More salary data for Santa Fe, 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 $45,970 for medical assistantsin the Santa Fe 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