Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lincoln, NE: $47,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Lincoln, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,708 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lincoln's local price level (BEA RPP 91.6 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,094 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($60,251) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates seeking employment in Lincoln, Nebraska, the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary can start at around $47,708 in 2026. This figure represents the lower 10th percentile of salaries for this occupation, setting realistic expectations for first-time job seekers. In comparison, the overall median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Lincoln is projected to be $60,251, indicating a substantial gap between entry-level and median wages. As new graduates gain experience and potentially advance to a salary of approximately $52,115 at the 25th percentile within the first few years, they can expect their earnings to grow steadily toward the median over a span of 3-5 years. With a projected growth rate of 2.73%, Lincoln appears to be a competitive market for fresh PTA graduates as they begin their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lincoln
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Lincoln, NE typically start between $47,708 and $52,115 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $30,326 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $60,251 — 14.23% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Nebraska of $16,000 represents just 33.54% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($47,708/year) in Lincoln. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Lincoln
- 1Research the Lincoln market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $47,708 to $52,115, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lincoln, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Lincoln for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lincoln's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Lincoln is $30,326 ( 63.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,708, experienced hygienists can earn up to $78,034.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,090
2025 BLS Actual
$46,440
2026 Current Est.
$47,708
2019–2027 Growth
+13.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $20,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $21,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $24,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,010 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Lincoln, NE grew 7.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $43,090 in 2019 to $46,440 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,010. New graduates entering the Lincoln job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Lincoln
Employment opportunities for new physical therapist assistants in Lincoln often arise in outpatient clinics, which are the primary employers of recent graduates. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to recruit despite recent reimbursement cuts, while home health agencies may favor candidates with a year or two of clinical experience. To enhance starting physical therapist assistant pay in NE, graduates should ensure they hold an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program and pass both the NPTAE national exam and obtain a state PTA license. Pursuing additional advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA may also improve earning potential. Given the regulatory backdrop where PTAs operate under physical therapy supervision and face a 15% reimbursement cut for Medicare services since 2022, early-career professionals should anticipate a gradual salary increase over the first few years. This includes navigating the implications of CMS rules while seeking opportunities for professional development, which could lead to improved salary prospects in the long term.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Lincoln in 2026?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Lincoln. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov