Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Farmington, NM: $70.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Farmington, NM runs $70.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $147,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Farmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $80.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,584 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Farmington, NM, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected at $70.98 in 2026, which positions it above the national hourly median of $67.50. This competitive rate offers attractive earning potential for part-time and per-diem workers who may operate in various settings, including emergency departments, urgent care facilities, and surgical suites. For those working part-time, such as a standard three-day workweek, this hourly rate translates into substantial earnings compared to local opportunities, with entry-level positions typically starting around $47.27 and top earners reaching up to $80.66 per hour. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data confirms these findings, emphasizing the growing demand and potential for physician assistants in New Mexico.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.27 | $378.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.78 | $510.24 |
| Median (P50) | $70.98 | $567.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.95 | $615.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.66 | $645.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Farmington
Based on $70.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.98/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Farmington, NM can expect to earn approximately $147,640 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,177. With a cost-of-living index of 87.71 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Farmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Farmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,839.23 | $12,303 | $147,640 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,703.54 | $7,382 | $88,584 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,135.69 | $4,921 | $59,056 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Farmington) | $70.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Farmington, NM earn a median of $147,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.16% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 11.40% above the New Mexico state average of $132,526.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.98/hr = $88,584/year (purchasing power: $101,000).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $147,640/year (purchasing power: $168,333).
CoL index: 87.707 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Farmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Farmington grew 18.2% from $58.10/hr (2019) to $68.70/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.34/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Farmington 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 3.32% 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 Physician Assistant in Farmington
When considering part-time opportunities, a physician assistant working 24 hours per week can anticipate a significantly different annual income compared to a full-time role. Per diem arrangements can yield even more lucrative per diem physician assistant pay in Farmington, where locum tenens PAs often charge between $75 and $130 per hour, depending on specialty. Surgical PAs, especially those in orthopedic roles, could make up to $1,800 daily, signifying the variation in pay based on employer type, with hospitals, specialty practices, and urgent care chains all offering different compensation structures. The trade-off for some PAs lies in balancing higher hourly rates with the benefits typically provided by full-time positions, such as health insurance. To achieve better compensation, PAs in Farmington should prepare to negotiate effectively, emphasizing their skill set and adaptability, especially as the profession embraces the Optimal Team Practice model.
More salary data for Farmington, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Farmington in 2026?
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
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 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Farmington. 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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov