Physical Therapist Salary in Carlsbad, NM: $94,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Carlsbad, NM earns a median $94,239/year (≈ $45.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Carlsbad's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $99,829 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Carlsbad reaches a median annual figure of $94,239, reflecting the city’s growing landscape for skilled professionals in the field. This median sits notably below the national average of $105,288, highlighting a 10.49% difference that may intrigue current job seekers. Physical therapists in this area can expect to earn between $73,273 at the lower end and $118,541 at the high end of the salary spectrum. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions, illustrate the impact of trends such as cash-pay models in outpatient orthopedic clinics, which often drive top-end compensation while setting a competitive tone in Carlsbad's evolving job market.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,273 | $35.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,058 | $38.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,239 | $45.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,823 | $52.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,541 | $56.99 |
Median Salary Position
10.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carlsbad
In Carlsbad, NM, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,268 (2026 est.). At $94,239, the local median is 10.49% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carlsbad: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carlsbad Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Carlsbad median: $94,239/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carlsbad Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $99,408 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.49% less |
Physical Therapists in Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $94,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $99,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carlsbad has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carlsbad, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $94,239 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,829 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,054
2025 BLS Actual
$91,976
2026 Current Est.
$94,239
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,459 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,465 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,246 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,716 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,557 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carlsbad metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $80,054 (2019) to $91,976 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,557 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,503 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carlsbad 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 2.46% 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) | $73,273 – $80,058 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,058 – $94,239 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,239 – $108,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,823 – $118,541 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Carlsbad
Despite the relatively low number of practitioners—only seven physical therapists currently employed in Carlsbad—job opportunities remain promising due to a cost-of-living index sitting at 94.4. This index suggests that take-home pay can stretch further in Carlsbad compared to more metropolitan areas, presenting a solid quality of life for practitioners. Employers like outpatient orthopedic chains and hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to compensate more generously, often rewarding those with specialized board certifications. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors like productivity expectations and clinic models employed. Strategies for maximizing earnings in this market could involve pursuing board specialization (like OCS or SCS), seeking roles in high-demand settings, and remaining adaptable to the cash-pay trend as patient preferences evolve.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Carlsbad, NM in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Carlsbad?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Carlsbad?
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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.
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 $91,976 for physical therapistsin the Carlsbad metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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
Salary data for Carlsbad is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov