Medical Assistant jobs in Rio Rancho, NM
Pay for medical assistants in the Rio Rancho area centers on $19.91 per hour, or about $41,420 a year. The lower quarter earns under $18.06 and the upper quarter over $21.80. That ranks 167th of 380 U.S. metro areas for medical assistant pay, and 164th of 339 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 8 hospitals in the Rio Rancho metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Rio Rancho.
- $19.91median pay per hour, Albuquerque
- $18–$22typical range per hour
- 3,170medical assistants employed in the metro area
- 96cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Assistant pay in Rio Rancho, NM
The metro median is 6% above the New Mexico statewide median of $18.75 per hour. Nationally the median is $21.25 per hour. BLS counts about 3,170 medical assistants employed in the Albuquerque metro area, 7.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.54).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.97 | $35,300 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $18.06 | $37,560 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Median | $19.91 | $41,420 | 6% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $21.80 | $45,340 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $24.46 | $50,880 | 15% above U.S. median |
How Rio Rancho ranks
- 167th of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 164th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 2nd of 3 New Mexico metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Rio Rancho
- Overall prices in Albuquerque run 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.5, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $19.91 median hour buys what $20.84 buys at the national price level, 2% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Rio Rancho Medical Assistant pay report
Named employers near Rio Rancho, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Rio Rancho paycheck
- Per year: $35,838
- Per month: $2,986
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Albuquerque metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Rio Rancho
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $144 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,568 |
| 13-week assignment | $20,384 |
Travel medical assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in the Albuquerque area
CMS lists 8 hospitals in the Albuquerque area, 2 of the 6 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical assistants.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lovelace Westside Hospital Albuquerque, NM | Acute care | For-profit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Lovelace Women's Hospital Albuquerque, NM | Acute care | For-profit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Va New Mexico Healthcare System Albuquerque, NM | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Lovelace Medical Center Albuquerque, NM | Acute care | For-profit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Presbyterian Hospital Albuquerque, NM | Acute care | Nonprofit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Unm Hospital Albuquerque, NM | Acute care | Government and federal | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Central Desert Behavioral Health Hospital Albuquerque, NM | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
| Haven Behavioral Hospital Of Albuquerque Albuquerque, NM | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Bernalillo County
HRSA lists 11 active primary care shortage designations that include Bernalillo County (1 population-group, 10 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 22 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Medical Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 13 mi | $19.91/hr | 560,326 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 48 mi | $22.47/hr | 90,551 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 204 mi | $17.54/hr | 116,998 |
| Pueblo, CO | 236 mi | — | 111,166 |
| Amarillo, TX | 275 mi | $17.96/hr | 203,729 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 278 mi | $21.35/hr | 77,539 |
Medical Assistant jobs in New Mexico · Medical Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in New Mexico
Medical assistant program or equivalent experience. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New Mexico requires for your role with the New Mexico licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
New Mexico taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical assistants make in Rio Rancho, NM?
Medical Assistants in the Albuquerque metro area have a median pay of $19.91 per hour, about $41,420 a year. The middle half earn between $18.06 and $21.80 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Rio Rancho a good place for medical assistants once cost of living is counted?
Albuquerque ranks 164th of 339 metro areas for medical assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 167th of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical assistants work in Rio Rancho?
CMS lists 8 hospitals in the Albuquerque area, led by Lovelace Westside Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a New Mexico license to work in Rio Rancho as a medical assistant?
Medical assistant program or equivalent experience. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New Mexico requires for your role with the New Mexico licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Rio Rancho in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 11 active primary care shortage designations that include Bernalillo County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Rio Rancho?
The federal per diem benchmark in Rio Rancho is $144 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,568 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place medical assistants in Rio Rancho?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Rio Rancho and across New Mexico. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Rio Rancho.
What do employers near Rio Rancho pay medical assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Medical Assistant roles in New Mexico, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Medical Assistant pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your New Mexico list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 11 postings$33.96/ hr$27–$41
- CommonSpirit HealthSeattle, WA · 21 postings$31.77/ hr$26–$42
- Sharp HealthCareSan Diego, CA · 11 postings$31.60/ hr$26–$37
- Sharp HealthcareSan Diego, CA · 4 postings$31.60/ hr$26–$34
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your New Mexico list
2What they are offering now
1193 Medical Assistant postings with published pay in the US, 1009 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Medical Assistant roles
Open Medical Assistant roles near Rio Rancho, NM, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.