Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Albuquerque
Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Albuquerque
Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.
As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Albuquerque, NM using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.
#51. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $24,790
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)
#50. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $27,320
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,180
- Employment: 29,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN ($52,880)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($45,910)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,730)
#49. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $28,590
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($51,240)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($49,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,730)
#48. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $29,760
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
#47. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $30,620
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Savannah, GA ($50,470)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($44,720)
--- Boulder, CO ($41,450)
#46. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $31,430
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- Employment: 37,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($46,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,430)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($42,620)
#45. Medical assistants
- Annual mean salary: $31,840
- #266 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)
#44. Phlebotomists
- Annual mean salary: $34,100
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
#43. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $35,120
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
#42. Psychiatric technicians
- Annual mean salary: $35,390
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)
#41. Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $35,820
- #122 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
#40. Opticians, dispensing
- Annual mean salary: $36,800
- #156 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)
#39. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $37,420
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)
#38. Medical equipment preparers
- Annual mean salary: $37,740
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)
#37. Ophthalmic medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $37,800
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
#36. Dental assistants
- Annual mean salary: $38,080
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)
#35. Surgical technologists
- Annual mean salary: $42,600
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)
#34. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $48,580
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
#33. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Annual mean salary: $49,570
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
#32. Recreational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $53,090
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,130
- Employment: 19,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($83,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,800)
--- Fresno, CA ($82,170)
#31. Physical therapist assistants
- Annual mean salary: $55,790
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)
#30. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $55,860
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- Employment: 56,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($106,620)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($103,050)
--- Medford, OR ($82,780)
#29. Occupational therapy assistants
- Annual mean salary: $58,160
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
#28. Respiratory therapists
- Annual mean salary: $59,150
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
#27. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Annual mean salary: $61,670
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)
#26. Radiologic technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $61,940
- #106 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
#25. Diagnostic medical sonographers
- Annual mean salary: $62,740
- #204 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
#24. Dental hygienists
- Annual mean salary: $69,130
- #209 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)

#23. Chiropractors
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)
#22. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $71,000
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
#21. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Annual mean salary: $72,350
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
#20. Audiologists
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)
#19. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $75,050
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,160
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
#18. Nuclear medicine technologists
- Annual mean salary: $75,960
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- Employment: 18,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,340)
#17. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $78,340
- #245 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
#16. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $87,120
- #213 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
#15. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $87,610
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,620
- Employment: 17,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($142,300)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($126,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,720)
#14. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $94,060
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)
#13. Nurse midwives
- Annual mean salary: $97,440
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,810
- Employment: 6,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($163,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($156,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($130,140)

#12. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $108,940
- #162 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)

#11. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $109,900
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
#10. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $117,590
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
#9. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $125,920
- #184 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 820
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
#8. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $129,440
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $142,680
- Employment: 9,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($222,760)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($206,190)
--- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA ($200,200)
#7. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $152,070
- #252 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
#6. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $155,740
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
#5. Pediatricians, general
- Annual mean salary: $167,570
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
#4. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $201,630
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)

#3. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $216,460
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)

#2. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
- Annual mean salary: $236,040
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $252,040
- Employment: 36,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($285,230)
--- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($285,210)
--- Asheville, NC ($284,780)
#1. Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Annual mean salary: $281,800
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $233,610
- Employment: 18,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville, NC ($284,520)
--- Akron, OH ($282,650)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($281,800)

