EMT Salary

Hobbs vs Las Cruces: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Hobbs, NM and Las Cruces, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hobbs, NM
$43,196
$20.77/hr
Las Cruces, NM
$38,878
$18.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHobbs, NMLas Cruces, NM
Median Salary$43,196$38,878
Hourly Rate$20.77$18.69
Entry Level (P10)$32,732$32,296
25th Percentile$38,674$34,476
75th Percentile$48,924$45,132
Top Earner (P90)$60,212$49,958
Total Employed9150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hobbs ($43,196) and Las Cruces ($38,878) emergency medical technician salaries.HobbsLas CrucesMedian Salary$43,196$38,878Entry Level (P10)$32,732$32,296Top Earner (P90)$60,212$49,958US Median $47,058

Verdict

Hobbs, NM offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Las Cruces.

The salary gap between Hobbs and Las Cruces is $4,318 (11.11%). Hobbs's median is -8.21% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hobbs spans $27,480,Las Cruces spans $17,662. Hobbs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hobbs
P10 (Entry)$32,732
P25$38,674
Median$43,196
P75$48,924
P90 (Top)$60,212
Las Cruces
P10 (Entry)$32,296
P25$34,476
Median$38,878
P75$45,132
P90 (Top)$49,958

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hobbs ($45,758 effective) pays 6.18% more than Las Cruces ($43,096 effective).

Hobbs
Nominal: $43,196
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $45,758
Las Cruces
Nominal: $38,878
CoL Index: 90.212
Adjusted: $43,096

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hobbs if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,196/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,212)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,758)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Las Cruces if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Hobbs grew 30.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.9% growth in Las Cruces over the same period.

Hobbs, NM

+30.8%

$31,209 (2024) → $40,820 (2025)

Las Cruces, NM

+2.9%

$35,690 (2022) → $36,740 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Hobbs or Las Cruces?

Hobbs has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $43,196/year, compared to Las Cruces at $38,878/year — a difference of $4,318 (11.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hobbs and Las Cruces?

Hobbs emergency medical technicians earn $20.77/hr while Las Cruces hygienists earn $18.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hobbs to Las Cruces as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hobbs and Las Cruces. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hobbs = $45,758, Las Cruces = $43,096), job availability (9 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Hobbs vs Las Cruces?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,732 in Hobbs and $32,296 in Las Cruces. The Hobbs area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov