Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Grand Island, NE: $30.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Grand Island, NE runs $30.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,542 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Grand Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,526 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in Grand Island, NE, the projected hourly median pay stands at $30.07. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. For part-time workers, such as those who might work three days a week, this translates to a reasonable earning potential, particularly in environments like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. The hourly range in Grand Island varies from $26.34 for entry-level positions to $34.13 for seasoned professionals. These figures, derived from official BLS data, highlight the financial landscape that PTAs should expect in their local job market.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.34 | $210.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.37 | $210.97 |
| Median (P50) | $30.07 | $240.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.43 | $243.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.13 | $273.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Island
Based on $30.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.07/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Island, NE can expect to earn approximately $62,544 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,083. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,202.76 | $5,212 | $62,544 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $721.66 | $3,127 | $37,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $481.11 | $2,085 | $25,017 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Grand Island) | $30.07 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $62,542 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.97% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.70% below the Nebraska state average of $64,278.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.07/hr = $37,526/year (purchasing power: $43,304).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,544/year (purchasing power: $72,174).
CoL index: 86.657 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Grand Island grew 20.5% from $24.29/hr (2019) to $29.27/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Grand Island
In considering annual earnings, a part-time physical therapist assistant working approximately 24 hours a week can expect a different economic outcome than full-time colleagues. With the current hourly figures, a part-time worker's take-home would reflect the trade-offs associated with flexible scheduling versus full-time benefits. Many per diem positions, where physical therapist assistants earn around $32-$48 per hour, offer an appealing alternative, particularly in travel contracts that yield between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly. However, the impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts has led to more competitive rates in skilled nursing facilities, often requiring PTAs to negotiate hourly pay and benefits thoughtfully. In Grand Island, pay can differ substantially depending on employer type, with pediatric clinics, outpatient chains, and home health agencies each presenting unique opportunities and compensation structures. Negotiate wisely; sometimes a slightly lower hourly rate may provide health benefits that are valuable over time.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Grand Island in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Grand Island?
Are physical therapist assistants in Grand Island paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Grand Island?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Grand Island?
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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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Grand Island. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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