Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lincoln, NE: $60,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lincoln, NE earns a median $60,251/year (≈ $28.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $65,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Lincoln, Nebraska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $60,251. This figure reflects a competitive wage within the context of the national average, which stands notably higher at $70,247. The salary range for the profession in Lincoln varies significantly, stretching from $47,708 at the lower end (P10) to $78,034 at the upper end (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the impacts of recent Medicare cuts on the job market, particularly distinguishing between outpatient settings and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Understanding these financial dynamics is crucial for prospective physical therapist assistants navigating the evolving healthcare environment in Lincoln.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,708 | $22.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,115 | $25.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,251 | $28.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,038 | $32.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,034 | $37.52 |
Median Salary Position
14.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,326 (2026 est.). At $60,251, the local median is 14.23% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $60,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $64,302 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.23% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $60,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.23% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% below the Nebraska state average of $64,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,251 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,790 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,990
2025 BLS Actual
$58,650
2026 Current Est.
$60,251
2019–2027 Growth
+14.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 8.6% from $53,990 (2019) to $58,650 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,906 (14.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $47,708 – $52,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,115 – $60,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,251 – $68,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,038 – $78,034 |
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 Lincoln
With 170 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area, job opportunities abound, but the cost of living index in Lincoln sits at 91.581, indicating that living expenses are below the national average. This factor enhances the purchasing power of residents, allowing for a more favorable lifestyle despite the comparatively lower physical therapist assistant pay in Lincoln NE than the national figures. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, followed by hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings and skilled nursing facilities. The disparity in earnings is largely influenced by productivity expectations, weekend shifts, and the supervision requirements mandated by state law. As the Medicare cuts have affected profitability in outpatient and SNF settings, those seeking to maximize pay should consider employment in higher-paying environments and remain informed about the potential for PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways that can expand professional opportunities in this changing landscape.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lincoln, NE in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lincoln?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lincoln?
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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 $58,650 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lincoln 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