Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Omaha, NE: $31.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Omaha, NE runs $31.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,203 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Omaha's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,116 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapists assistants in Omaha, Nebraska earn a median hourly rate of $31.34, which falls slightly below the national median of $33.77. This pay scale is crucial for part-time workers who may typically be scheduled for three days a week—or around 24 hours—focused on various settings like outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospital rehab units, and pediatric therapy. For those entering the profession, entry-level positions may begin at a rate of $22.22 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn as much as $39.85 per hour. This hourly data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, provides a clear perspective on the current financial landscape for PTAs in Omaha.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.22 | $177.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.05 | $208.42 |
| Median (P50) | $31.34 | $250.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.37 | $298.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.85 | $318.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Omaha
Based on $31.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.34/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Omaha, NE can expect to earn approximately $65,193 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,612. With a cost-of-living index of 91.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Omaha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Omaha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,253.72 | $5,433 | $65,193 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.23 | $3,260 | $39,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.49 | $2,173 | $26,077 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Omaha) | $31.34 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Omaha, NE earn a median of $65,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% above the Nebraska state average of $64,302.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.34/hr = $39,116/year (purchasing power: $42,559).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,193/year (purchasing power: $70,931).
CoL index: 91.911 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+63.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Omaha grew 54.6% from $19.73/hr (2019) to $30.51/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.20/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Omaha 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Omaha
Taking the plunge into part-time work as a physical therapist assistant can result in annual earnings of approximately $39,186 for a 24-hour workweek, considerably less than full-time counterparts. The per diem model, which is another avenue, sees PTAs charging between $32-$48 per hour, while travel PTA contracts range from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, with the recent 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursement, some settings, particularly skilled nursing facilities, might offer lower rates than before. Hourly rates can differ significantly depending on the employer type—outpatient orthopedic clinics may provide more competitive compensation compared to hospital rehab facilities. For many PTAs, the choice comes down to a benefits trade-off: some may accept lower hourly wages for job security and health insurance, while others prefer higher pay without benefits. To negotiate effectively in Omaha's job market, articulate your unique value and readiness to fill critical roles that support physical therapists' work.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Omaha. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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