Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kearney, NE: $61,897 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Kearney, NE earns a median $61,897/year (≈ $29.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $67,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Kearney, Nebraska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,897. This figure places local compensation approximately 11.89% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this profession in the area is from $46,345 at the 10th percentile to $79,328 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data adjusted to reflect regional price variations, underscoring the impact of the market structure changes after the Medicare reimbursement cuts. Though Kearney's physical therapist assistant pay might seem lower relative to national norms, it reflects the area's job market dynamics and demand.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,345 | $22.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,020 | $26.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,897 | $29.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,861 | $34.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,328 | $38.14 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,983 (2026 est.). At $61,897, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Kearney median: $61,897/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $64,275 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.89% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Kearney, NE earn a median of $61,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $64,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,897 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,647 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,802
2025 BLS Actual
$60,252
2026 Current Est.
$61,897
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,802 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,908 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,463 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,867 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,252 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,897 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,587 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,802 (2019) to $60,252 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,587 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,785 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,345 – $56,020 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,020 – $61,897 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,897 – $70,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,861 – $79,328 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Kearney
Looking at the local job market, Kearney employs nine physical therapist assistants, which indicates a relatively small yet stable workforce. This concentration can yield unique opportunities as the cost-of-living index is at 91.5, allowing take-home pay to stretch further compared to higher-cost areas. Notable employers in Kearney include outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities. The pay variation stems from different settings, such as hospitals typically offering higher hourly rates than outpatient facilities, especially after recent Medicare cuts, which have pressured SNFs and outpatient clinics alike. To maximize earning potential in this local market, focusing on hospital positions, pursuing additional certifications, or considering PRN shifts can help leverage the compensation gap effectively.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Kearney, NE in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Kearney?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Kearney?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,252 for physical therapist assistantsin the Kearney metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearney is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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