Physical Therapist Salary in Taos, NM: $91,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Taos, NM earns a median $91,436/year (≈ $43.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Taos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $96,860 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected figures show that physical therapists in Taos, NM, earn a median annual salary of $91,436 in 2026, reflecting a regional compensation model that emphasizes outpatient care. With salaries ranging from $73,550 at the lowest decile to $111,665 at the highest, these estimates are grounded in 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local economic conditions. Compared to the national median of $105,288 for physical therapist salaries, Taos's figures indicate a 13.16% lower market rate, shaping the financial landscape for practitioners. Employment opportunities in the area are relatively limited, with only four physical therapists reported, necessitating strategic career planning for those entering the local job market.
About the Taos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,043 | $38.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,436 | $43.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,665 | $53.69 |
Median Salary Position
13.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taos
In Taos, NM, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,115 (2026 est.). At $91,436, the local median is 13.16% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Taos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Taos Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Taos median: $91,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $99,387 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -13.16% less |
Physical Therapists in Taos, NM earn a median of $91,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.16% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $99,387.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taos 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.
Taos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $91,436 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,860 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,673
2025 BLS Actual
$89,241
2026 Current Est.
$91,436
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Taos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,673 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,037 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,592 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,107 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,686 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taos metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $77,673 (2019) to $89,241 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,686 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,013 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taos 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) | $73,550 – $79,043 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,043 – $91,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,436 – $104,070 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,070 – $111,665 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Taos
On the employment front, the Taos area has a modest presence of physical therapists, which limits job competition but also affects salary dynamics. The cost of living index in Taos stands at 94.4, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. This reality enhances the take-home purchasing power for physical therapists, even at relatively lower pay rates. Outpatient orthopedic clinics dominate the local market, often providing competitive compensation structures, supplemented by bonuses tied to productivity benchmarks. Other options like skilled nursing facilities may offer stability, but typically at a lower pay scale. To maximize earning potential, physical therapists should consider obtaining board certifications such as Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), which can lead to higher pay rates or specialized positions. Additionally, embracing cash-pay models may yield a more lucrative practice, allowing therapists in Taos to navigate the intricate balance between patient care and financial sustainability effectively.
More salary data for Taos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Taos?
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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 $89,241 for physical therapistsin the Taos 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 Taos 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