PT Assistant Salary

North Platte vs Omaha: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between North Platte, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Platte, NE
$59,769
$28.73/hr
Omaha, NE
$65,203
$31.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Platte, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$59,769$65,203
Hourly Rate$28.73$31.34
Entry Level (P10)$45,822$46,208
25th Percentile$54,690$54,190
75th Percentile$67,114$77,746
Top Earner (P90)$73,836$82,883
Total Employed4440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Platte ($59,769) and Omaha ($65,203) physical therapist assistant salaries.North PlatteOmahaMedian Salary$59,769$65,203Entry Level (P10)$45,822$46,208Top Earner (P90)$73,836$82,883US Median $70,247

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Platte.

The salary gap between North Platte and Omaha is $5,434 (9.09%). Omaha's median is -7.18% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Platte spans $28,014,Omaha spans $36,675. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

North Platte
P10 (Entry)$45,822
P25$54,690
Median$59,769
P75$67,114
P90 (Top)$73,836
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$46,208
P25$54,190
Median$65,203
P75$77,746
P90 (Top)$82,883

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($70,941 effective) pays 8.60% more than North Platte ($65,321 effective).

North Platte
Nominal: $59,769
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $65,321
Omaha
Nominal: $65,203
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $70,941

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Platte if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,203/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,883)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,941)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in North Platte grew 14.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 54.7% growth in Omaha over the same period.

North Platte, NE

+14.0%

$51,051 (2024) → $58,181 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+54.7%

$41,030 (2019) → $63,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: North Platte or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $65,203/year, compared to North Platte at $59,769/year — a difference of $5,434 (9.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Platte and Omaha?

North Platte physical therapist assistants earn $28.73/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $31.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Platte to Omaha as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Platte and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Platte = $65,321, Omaha = $70,941), job availability (4 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in North Platte vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $45,822 in North Platte and $46,208 in Omaha. The Omaha area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov