Physical Therapist Pay

Clovis vs Santa Fe: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Clovis, NM and Santa Fe, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clovis, NM
$94,385
$45.38/hr
Santa Fe, NM
$127,942
$61.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClovis, NMSanta Fe, NM
Median Salary$94,385$127,942
Hourly Rate$45.38$61.51
Entry Level (P10)$74,022$99,970
25th Percentile$80,357$105,882
75th Percentile$109,304$145,924
Top Earner (P90)$118,770$156,088
Total Employed780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clovis ($94,385) and Santa Fe ($127,942) physical therapist salaries.ClovisSanta FeMedian Salary$94,385$127,942Entry Level (P10)$74,022$99,970Top Earner (P90)$118,770$156,088US Median $105,288

Verdict

Santa Fe, NM offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Clovis.

The salary gap between Clovis and Santa Fe is $33,557 (35.55%). Santa Fe's median is +21.52% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clovis spans $44,748,Santa Fe spans $56,118. Santa Fe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Clovis
P10 (Entry)$74,022
P25$80,357
Median$94,385
P75$109,304
P90 (Top)$118,770
Santa Fe
P10 (Entry)$99,970
P25$105,882
Median$127,942
P75$145,924
P90 (Top)$156,088

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Fe ($129,539 effective) pays 29.56% more than Clovis ($99,984 effective).

Clovis
Nominal: $94,385
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $99,984
Santa Fe
Nominal: $127,942
CoL Index: 98.767
Adjusted: $129,539

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clovis if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Santa Fe if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,942/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($156,088)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,539)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Clovis grew 4.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.1% growth in Santa Fe over the same period.

Clovis, NM

+4.9%

$87,852 (2024) → $92,119 (2025)

Santa Fe, NM

+37.1%

$91,090 (2019) → $124,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Clovis or Santa Fe?

Santa Fe has a higher median physical therapist salary at $127,942/year, compared to Clovis at $94,385/year — a difference of $33,557 (35.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clovis and Santa Fe?

Clovis physical therapists earn $45.38/hr while Santa Fe hygienists earn $61.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clovis to Santa Fe as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clovis and Santa Fe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clovis = $99,984, Santa Fe = $129,539), job availability (7 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Clovis vs Santa Fe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $74,022 in Clovis and $99,970 in Santa Fe. The Santa Fe area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov