Occupational Therapist jobs in Rio Rancho, NM
Pay for occupational therapists in the Rio Rancho area centers on $49.19 per hour, or about $102,310 a year. The lower quarter earns under $39.45 and the upper quarter over $61.13. That ranks 57th of 354 U.S. metro areas for occupational therapist pay, and 70th of 327 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 8 hospitals in the Rio Rancho metro area. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Rio Rancho.
- $49.19median pay per hour, Albuquerque
- $39–$61typical range per hour
- 460occupational therapists employed in the metro area
- 96cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Occupational Therapist pay in Rio Rancho, NM
The metro median is 3% above the New Mexico statewide median of $47.70 per hour. Nationally the median is $47.28 per hour. BLS counts about 460 occupational therapists employed in the Albuquerque metro area, 1.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.16).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $34.74 | $72,260 | 27% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $39.45 | $82,060 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Median | $49.19 | $102,310 | 4% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $61.13 | $127,150 | 29% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $64.56 | $134,280 | 37% above U.S. median |
How Rio Rancho ranks
- 57th of 354 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 70th of 327 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 3 New Mexico metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122), 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 $49.19 median hour buys what $51.48 buys at the national price level, 9% above 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 Occupational Therapist 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: $88,542
- Per month: $7,378
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 occupational therapist 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 occupational therapists.
| 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.
Occupational Therapist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 13 mi | $49.19/hr | 560,326 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 48 mi | $47.66/hr | 90,551 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 204 mi | $44.70/hr | 116,998 |
| Pueblo, CO | 236 mi | — | 111,166 |
| Amarillo, TX | 275 mi | $49.69/hr | 203,729 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 278 mi | $42.80/hr | 77,539 |
Occupational Therapist jobs in New Mexico · Occupational Therapist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in New Mexico
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. 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 occupational therapists make in Rio Rancho, NM?
Occupational Therapists in the Albuquerque metro area have a median pay of $49.19 per hour, about $102,310 a year. The middle half earn between $39.45 and $61.13 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Rio Rancho a good place for occupational therapists once cost of living is counted?
Albuquerque ranks 70th of 327 metro areas for occupational therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 57th of 354 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% below the U.S. average.
Where do occupational therapists 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 an occupational therapist?
Master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. 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.
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 occupational therapists 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 occupational therapists? 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.
Get your free pay report
20+ Occupational Therapist 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 OT pay reportRio Rancho, NM · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Grandison Management, Inc.Lovington, NM · 1 wage offer$33.34/ hr$33–$33
- Grandison Management, Inc.Hobbs, NM · 1 wage offer$33.34/ hr$33–$33
- Grandison Management, Inc.New Mexico · 1 wage offer$31.36/ hr$31–$31
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
3 employer-reported wage offers for OT in federal filings in New Mexico, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open OT roles
Open OT roles near Rio Rancho, NM, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.