Dialysis Technician Salary

Carlsbad vs Farmington: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Carlsbad, NM and Farmington, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carlsbad, NM
$35,697
$17.16/hr
Farmington, NM
$35,012
$16.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarlsbad, NMFarmington, NM
Median Salary$35,697$35,012
Hourly Rate$17.16$16.84
Entry Level (P10)$28,069$30,930
25th Percentile$31,771$33,408
75th Percentile$44,749$40,590
Top Earner (P90)$55,330$41,401
Total Employed780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carlsbad ($35,697) and Farmington ($35,012) dialysis technician salaries.CarlsbadFarmingtonMedian Salary$35,697$35,012Entry Level (P10)$28,069$30,930Top Earner (P90)$55,330$41,401US Median $45,322

Verdict

Carlsbad, NM offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Farmington.

The salary gap between Carlsbad and Farmington is $685 (1.96%). Carlsbad's median is -21.24% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carlsbad spans $27,261,Farmington spans $10,471. Carlsbad has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carlsbad
P10 (Entry)$28,069
P25$31,771
Median$35,697
P75$44,749
P90 (Top)$55,330
Farmington
P10 (Entry)$30,930
P25$33,408
Median$35,012
P75$40,590
P90 (Top)$41,401

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Farmington ($39,919 effective) pays 5.57% more than Carlsbad ($37,815 effective).

Carlsbad
Nominal: $35,697
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $37,815
Farmington
Nominal: $35,012
CoL Index: 87.707
Adjusted: $39,919

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carlsbad if…

  • Higher median salary ($35,697/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($55,330)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Farmington if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,919)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Carlsbad grew -2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -0.1% growth in Farmington over the same period.

Carlsbad, NM

+-2.6%

$35,802 (2024) → $34,857 (2025)

Farmington, NM

+-0.1%

$34,220 (2021) → $34,188 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Carlsbad or Farmington?

Carlsbad has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $35,697/year, compared to Farmington at $35,012/year — a difference of $685 (1.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carlsbad and Farmington?

Carlsbad dialysis technicians earn $17.16/hr while Farmington hygienists earn $16.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carlsbad to Farmington as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carlsbad and Farmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carlsbad = $37,815, Farmington = $39,919), job availability (7 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Carlsbad vs Farmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $28,069 in Carlsbad and $30,930 in Farmington. The Farmington area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% 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 Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov