Occupational Therapist Salary in New Mexico: $103,269 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $103,269/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,395 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Santa Fe ($112,240), Las Cruces ($108,630), Albuquerque ($99,170).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapists in New Mexico is projected to be $103,268, slightly below the national median of $103,400. This reflects a minimal difference of -0.1% compared to the national figures. The highest paying city in the state is Santa Fe, where salaries are expected to reach $115,675, while Taos ranks as the lowest at $89,797. The salary discrepancy between these cities can be driven by factors such as cost of living, local demand for therapists, and availability of specialized services. New Mexico has distinct state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that shape the occupational therapy landscape. The demand for therapists is influenced by a growing population and increasing recognition of the importance of rehabilitative services. The state is expected to see an annual growth rate of 3.06% in this profession based on 2025 data, indicating a positive job market outlook. Other cities projected to have solid salaries include Las Cruces at $111,954, Albuquerque at $102,205, Rio Rancho at $100,467, and Farmington at $96,454. Overall, the job market for occupational therapists in New Mexico shows promise, with a steady demand and a range of earnings influenced by geographic location and local economic conditions.
New Mexico Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $65,834 (lowest entry-level) to $158,836 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico occupational therapists earn 0.13% less than the national median ($-131/year difference).
New Mexico Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in New Mexico range from $76,912 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $137,939 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,269. The New Mexico median is $131 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $49.65/hr. Approximately 872 occupational therapists are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$81,522
2025 BLS Actual
$100,202
2026 Current Est.
$103,269
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,522 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,662 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,606 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,081 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,202 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,269 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,429 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 22.9% from $81,522 (2019) to $100,202 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,429 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,907 (30.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico 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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Taos | $89,797 |
| Los Alamos | $89,966 |
| Los Lunas | $90,723 |
| Las Vegas | $90,737 |
| Gallup | $90,752 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | $111,954 | 90.212 | $124,101 |
| Santa Fe | $115,675 | 98.767 | $117,119 |
| Farmington | $96,454 | 87.707 | $109,973 |
| Albuquerque | $102,205 | 95.546 | $106,969 |
| Rio Rancho | $100,467 | 94.4 | $106,427 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $76,912 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,269 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $137,939 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $115,675 |
| 2 | Las Cruces | $111,954 |
| 3 | Albuquerque | $102,205 |
| 4 | Rio Rancho | $100,467 |
| 5 | Farmington | $96,454 |
| 6 | Roswell | $95,754 |
| 7 | Alamogordo | $94,966 |
| 8 | Hobbs | $94,913 |
| 9 | South Valley | $94,527 |
| 10 | Clovis | $92,693 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $92,550 |
| 12 | Deming | $91,074 |
| 13 | Gallup | $90,752 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | $90,737 |
| 15 | Los Lunas | $90,723 |
| 16 | Los Alamos | $89,966 |
| 17 | Taos | $89,797 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in New Mexico?
How many occupational therapists are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov