Physical Therapist Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $127,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $127,942/year (≈ $61.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $129,539 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.7% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected to reach a median annual earning of $127,942 in 2026, physical therapists in Santa Fe, NM, find themselves in a dynamic wage environment compared to national trends. With a salary range spanning from $99,970 at the 10th percentile to $156,088 at the 90th percentile, the financial outlook is largely influenced by local productivity expectations. The figures presented here are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating that the physical therapist salary in Santa Fe exceeds the national median of $105,288 by approximately 21.52%. These competitive earnings reflect both the needs of the job market in Santa Fe and the increasing demand for high-quality rehabilitative services in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,882 | $50.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,942 | $61.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,924 | $70.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,088 | $75.04 |
Median Salary Position
21.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,118 (2026 est.). At $127,942, the local median is 21.52% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be above the median
How Santa Fe Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $127,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $99,411 | +28.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +21.52% more |
Physical Therapists in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $127,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.52% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 28.70% above the New Mexico state average of $99,411.
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 physical therapist earning $127,942 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,539 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,090
2025 BLS Actual
$124,870
2026 Current Est.
$127,942
2019–2027 Growth
+43.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,089 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 37.1% from $91,090 (2019) to $124,870 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,089 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,999 (43.91%) 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 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) | $99,970 – $105,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,882 – $127,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,942 – $145,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,924 – $156,088 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Santa Fe
In terms of the local job market, Santa Fe currently employs around 80 physical therapists, making it a notable hub for this profession in New Mexico. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.767, suggesting that while salaries for physical therapist pay in Santa Fe, NM, might be higher than in many other regions, the expense of living remains relatively manageable. Organizations like outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains such as ATI and Athletico, often lead in compensation, although hospital systems may also offer competitive pay through inpatient rehabilitation roles. Pay disparities can arise due to factors such as outpatient productivity demands, board specializations (like OCS or SCS), or practice settings that favor payments—cash vs. insurance models influence net earnings significantly. To maximize pay, therapists are encouraged to enhance their productivity, pursue board certifications, and consider roles in higher-paying specialty areas or facilities.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $124,870 for physical therapistsin the Santa Fe 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
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 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