Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Las Cruces, NM: $70.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Las Cruces, NM runs $70.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,043 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Las Cruces's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $77.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,630 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, the physician assistant hourly pay is quite competitive, with a median hourly rate of $70.22. This figure not only surpasses the national hourly median of $67.50 but also signifies favorable conditions for both part-time and per-diem physician assistants. Those working part-time, for instance, typically at three days a week, may benefit significantly from this hourly rate, applying it to various clinical settings like operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. Entry-level positions may start as low as $32.14 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $77.82 per hour. This official BLS hourly data reflects the diverse nature of this job market in Las Cruces, where demand for physician assistants continues to grow.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.14 | $257.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.29 | $370.30 |
| Median (P50) | $70.22 | $561.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.39 | $563.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.82 | $622.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Las Cruces
Based on $70.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.22/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Las Cruces, NM can expect to earn approximately $146,050 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,260. 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) | $2,808.65 | $12,171 | $146,050 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,685.19 | $7,302 | $87,630 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,123.46 | $4,868 | $58,420 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Las Cruces) | $70.22 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $146,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.03% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 10.20% above the New Mexico state average of $132,525.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.22/hr = $87,630/year (purchasing power: $97,138).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,050/year (purchasing power: $161,896).
CoL index: 90.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Las Cruces grew 17.5% from $57.82/hr (2019) to $67.96/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.55/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 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 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 Las Cruces
For those considering part-time work, earning potential can vary significantly. A physician assistant working three days a week for a total of 24 hours might earn around $87,000 annually, compared to full-time salaries that approach $146,043. Per diem physician assistant pay in Las Cruces allows for flexibility, with locum tenens rates ranging from $75 to $130 per hour depending on the specialty, while orthopedic surgical PAs can command between $1,200 and $1,800 daily for operating room coverage. The hourly rates also differ based on employer type; hospital systems often provide W-2 positions with benefits, while surgical specialties may offer higher pay but with less job security and benefits. These factors create a trade-off where some PAs choose lower hourly rates for reliable health insurance versus higher earnings without those perks. Effective negotiation could be key for hourly workers in Las Cruces, as emphasizing experience and specialty can lead to substantial hourly pay increases in this flourishing market.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Las Cruces in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Las Cruces?
Are physician assistants in Las Cruces paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Las Cruces?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Las Cruces?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 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 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