Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in North Platte, NE: $59,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in North Platte, NE earns a median $59,769/year (≈ $28.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in North Platte's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,321 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the earnings potential for physical therapists assistants in North Platte, Nebraska, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $59,769, which is roughly 14.92% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this position spans from $45,822 at the 10th percentile to $73,836 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse work environments and productivity levels in the field. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate that salaries can significantly fluctuate based on factors such as the care setting, individual productivity, and patient load. The local economy offers unique dynamics for physical therapist assistants, creating a competitive but manageable job market for this critical healthcare role.
About the North Platte Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,822 | $22.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,769 | $28.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,114 | $32.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,836 | $35.49 |
Median Salary Position
14.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Platte
In North Platte, NE, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,014 (2026 est.). At $59,769, the local median is 14.92% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Platte: You'd be above the median
How North Platte Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
North Platte median: $59,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Platte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $64,268 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.92% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in North Platte, NE earn a median of $59,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $64,268.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Platte 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.
North Platte, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $59,769 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,321 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,021
2025 BLS Actual
$58,181
2026 Current Est.
$59,769
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in North Platte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,855 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,408 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,522 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,051 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,181 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Platte metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,021 (2019) to $58,181 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,380 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Platte 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) | $45,822 – $54,690 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,690 – $59,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,769 – $67,114 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,114 – $73,836 |
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 North Platte
Despite having only four physical therapist assistants employed in the North Platte area, the local cost of living is relatively low, with a cost of living index of 91.5, which enhances take-home purchasing power for those in the profession. Salary variations are influenced by the type of employer; outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer different rates, with hospital inpatient rehab often providing some of the highest pay due to their extensive service demands. Factors contributing to the disparity between the higher and lower ends of compensation include productivity expectations, the impact of Medicare’s 15% cut on reimbursement in outpatient and skilled nursing settings, and the supervisory requirements under state law. For those seeking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in North Platte, focusing on gaining experience in high-demand settings, considering supplemental shifts on weekends, and pursuing ongoing education can prove beneficial in navigating this evolving job market.
More salary data for North Platte, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in North Platte, NE in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in North Platte?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in North Platte?
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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 $58,181 for physical therapist assistantsin the North Platte 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 North Platte 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