Nurse Practitioner Pay

Hobbs vs Las Cruces: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Hobbs, NM
$125,630
$60.39/hr
Las Cruces, NM
$136,544
$65.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHobbs, NMLas Cruces, NM
Median Salary$125,630$136,544
Hourly Rate$60.39$65.65
Entry Level (P10)$95,004$104,019
25th Percentile$117,355$118,026
75th Percentile$149,443$157,234
Top Earner (P90)$164,508$166,555
Total Employed9210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hobbs ($125,630) and Las Cruces ($136,544) nurse practitioner salaries.HobbsLas CrucesMedian Salary$125,630$136,544Entry Level (P10)$95,004$104,019Top Earner (P90)$164,508$166,555US Median $136,864

Verdict

Las Cruces, NM offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hobbs.

The salary gap between Hobbs and Las Cruces is $10,914 (8.69%). Las Cruces's median is -0.23% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hobbs spans $69,504,Las Cruces spans $62,536. Hobbs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hobbs
P10 (Entry)$95,004
P25$117,355
Median$125,630
P75$149,443
P90 (Top)$164,508
Las Cruces
P10 (Entry)$104,019
P25$118,026
Median$136,544
P75$157,234
P90 (Top)$166,555

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Las Cruces ($151,359 effective) pays 13.73% more than Hobbs ($133,083 effective).

Hobbs
Nominal: $125,630
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $133,083
Las Cruces
Nominal: $136,544
CoL Index: 90.212
Adjusted: $151,359

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hobbs if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Las Cruces if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,544/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($166,555)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,359)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Hobbs grew -2.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.6% growth in Las Cruces over the same period.

Hobbs, NM

+-2.0%

$123,918 (2024) → $121,440 (2025)

Las Cruces, NM

+11.6%

$118,260 (2019) → $131,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Hobbs or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $136,544/year, compared to Hobbs at $125,630/year — a difference of $10,914 (8.69%).

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

Hobbs nurse practitioners earn $60.39/hr while Las Cruces hygienists earn $65.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hobbs to Las Cruces as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hobbs and Las Cruces. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hobbs = $133,083, Las Cruces = $151,359), job availability (9 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Hobbs vs Las Cruces?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $95,004 in Hobbs and $104,019 in Las Cruces. The Las Cruces area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% 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 Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov