Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Omaha, NE: $65,203 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Omaha, NE earns a median $65,203/year (≈ $31.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Omaha's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $70,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Omaha is $65,203, which is about 7.18% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range in Omaha spans from $46,208 at the bottom 10th percentile to $82,883 at the top 90th percentile. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. As many professionals in this field consider advancing their careers through the PTA-to-DPT bridge, which can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, it becomes crucial to understand the compensation landscape. Given the relatively competitive tuition of local PT programs, those pursuing this pathway may find it particularly advantageous in Omaha's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,208 | $22.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,203 | $31.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,746 | $37.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,883 | $39.85 |
Median Salary Position
7.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Omaha
In Omaha, NE, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,675 (2026 est.). At $65,203, the local median is 7.18% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Omaha: You'd be above the median
How Omaha Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Omaha median: $65,203/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Omaha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $64,302 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.18% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Omaha has a cost of living 8.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Omaha, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.911 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,203 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,941 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,030
2025 BLS Actual
$63,470
2026 Current Est.
$65,203
2019–2027 Growth
+63.3%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,203 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Omaha metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 54.7% from $41,030 (2019) to $63,470 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,953 (63.25%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,208 – $54,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,190 – $65,203 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,203 – $77,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,746 – $82,883 |
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 Omaha
With 440 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area, Omaha’s local job market remains robust for this occupation. The cost-of-living index stands at 91.911, indicating that purchasing power in Omaha is comparatively favorable, which can influence take-home pay. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest compensation, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation. The differences in pay are often driven by the setting and associated productivity expectations, with outpatient clinics generally allowing for better earnings potential. Additionally, the Medicare 15% cut has contributed to a compensation squeeze in settings reliant on Medicare, such as skilled nursing facilities. To maximize pay, aspiring PTAs should seek opportunities in high-payout facilities and consider continuing education or certifications to stand out in their field within Omaha NE.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Omaha, NE in 2026?
Is Omaha, NE a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Omaha?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Omaha?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Omaha?
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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 $63,470 for physical therapist assistantsin the Omaha 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
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