Occupational Therapist Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Occupational Therapists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $99,170 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,068 take-home, or $6,256 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median occupational therapist salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,987
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,149
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,438
- New Mexico income tax$3,528
- Take-home pay$75,068
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.90% state
Occupational Therapist pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,150 | $35.65 | $58,675 | $4,890 |
| 25th percentile | $86,930 | $41.79 | $67,057 | $5,588 |
| Median (50th) | $99,170 | $47.68 | $75,068 | $6,256 |
| 75th percentile | $120,360 | $57.87 | $88,937 | $7,411 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,050 | $63.97 | $97,017 | $8,085 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,170 buys in Albuquerque, NM
Prices in Albuquerque, NM are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median occupational therapist's $75,068 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,567 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Albuquerque, NM has 1.3× the national concentration of occupational therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for occupational therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #27 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $122,050 | $94,687 | $96,555 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $107,650 | $84,562 | $89,279 |
| 3 | Fayetteville, AR | $107,830 | $80,696 | $88,334 |
| 4 | Little Rock, AR | $104,680 | $78,603 | $87,958 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $110,520 | $86,581 | $86,395 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $103,840 | $79,808 | $86,099 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $136,870 | $94,538 | $85,614 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $103,080 | $77,254 | $85,450 |
| 27 | Albuquerque, NM | $99,170 | $75,068 | $78,567 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median occupational therapist salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $99,170 a year, or about $47.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $86,930 and $120,360.
What is a occupational therapist’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $99,170 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $75,068 a year ($6,256 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,528 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $100,330. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,567 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #27 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a occupational therapist afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Albuquerque, NM is $1,185 a month ($1,464 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median occupational therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $147,000
- Dentists, General — $141,580
- Nurse Practitioner — $140,950
- Physical Therapist — $103,510
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,160
- Registered Nurse — $96,040
- Dental Hygienist — $95,900
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $79,940
- Respiratory Therapist — $68,870
- Medical Records Specialist — $60,020
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $57,370