Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Nebraska: $63,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $63,499/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,398 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($63,470), Hastings ($61,043), Grand Island ($60,880).
In Nebraska, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants is projected to be $63,499 in 2026, which is 9.6% lower than the national median of $70,247. The highest-paying city, Omaha, offers an average salary of $65,203, while North Platte, the lowest paying city, has an average of $59,769, reflecting a salary gap of $5,434. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, specific healthcare demands in urban versus rural areas, and the availability of healthcare facilities. Nebraska's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are structured to ensure patient safety and effective care, requiring physical therapist assistants to work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. The demand for skilled professionals is reinforced by a projected growth rate of 2.73% in the job market, based on 2025 BLS data, indicating steady employment opportunities for those entering the field. Top cities projected for employment in 2026 include Hastings at $62,709, Grand Island at $62,542, Fremont at $62,370, and Bellevue at $62,241. These figures highlight the potential for competitive salaries across various regions within Nebraska, driven by local healthcare needs and economic conditions.
Nebraska Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $42,600 (lowest entry-level) to $82,883 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska physical therapist assistants earn 9.61% less than the national median ($-6,748/year difference).
Nebraska Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Nebraska range from $47,154 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,353 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,499. The Nebraska median is $6,748 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $30.53/hr. Approximately 732 physical therapist assistants are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,116
2025 BLS Actual
$61,812
2026 Current Est.
$63,499
2019–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,116 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,189 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,706 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,667 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 34.0% from $46,116 (2019) to $61,812 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,116 (41.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $59,769 |
| Papillion | $59,789 |
| La Vista | $59,852 |
| Norfolk | $59,861 |
| Columbus | $60,021 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | $62,542 | 86.657 | $72,172 |
| Omaha | $65,203 | 91.911 | $70,941 |
| Hastings | $62,709 | 91.5 | $68,534 |
| Fremont | $62,370 | 91.5 | $68,164 |
| Bellevue | $62,241 | 91.5 | $68,023 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,154 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,499 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,353 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $65,203 |
| 2 | Hastings | $62,709 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $62,542 |
| 4 | Fremont | $62,370 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $62,241 |
| 6 | Kearney | $61,897 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $61,683 |
| 8 | Lincoln | $60,251 |
| 9 | Columbus | $60,021 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $59,861 |
| 11 | La Vista | $59,852 |
| 12 | Papillion | $59,789 |
| 13 | North Platte | $59,769 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Nebraska?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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