Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Omaha, NE: $49.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Omaha, NE runs $49.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,081 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Omaha's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,250 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Omaha, Nebraska, earn a median hourly rate of $49.08, which is slightly below the national median of $50.62. This salary provides ample opportunities for part-time and per-diem work, prevalent in various settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. The hourly pay ranges from $38.20 for entry-level positions to $59.30 for those with significant experience and expertise in specialized areas. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they reflect the earning potential within the state's healthcare landscape, which is especially relevant as more physical therapists consider flexible work arrangements.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.20 | $305.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.15 | $321.23 |
| Median (P50) | $49.08 | $392.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.05 | $424.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.30 | $474.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Omaha
Based on $49.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.08/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Omaha, NE can expect to earn approximately $102,083 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,894. With a cost-of-living index of 91.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Omaha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Omaha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,963.13 | $8,507 | $102,083 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,177.88 | $5,104 | $61,250 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $785.25 | $3,403 | $40,833 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Omaha) | $49.08 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Omaha, NE earn a median of $102,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.05% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.00% above the Nebraska state average of $96,303.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.08/hr = $61,250/year (purchasing power: $66,640).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,083/year (purchasing power: $111,067).
CoL index: 91.911 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Omaha grew 20.6% from $39.73/hr (2019) to $47.90/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 2.46% 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 in Omaha
When evaluating the financial prospects for part-time physical therapists in Omaha, those who work three days a week can expect to take home around $61,813 annually, significantly less than full-time practitioners. However, the allure of per diem physical therapist pay in Omaha can be appealing, with earnings commonly ranging from $50 to $75 per hour. Additionally, travel contracts may lead to weekly earnings between $1,800 and $2,800, which includes stipends, while cash-pay arrangements for specialists could yield up to $250 per hour. Various employment types influence hourly rates, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often offering lower pay due to increased competition, while hospital systems might compensate more robustly. It’s essential for physical therapists to weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates with health insurance and other benefits against opportunities for higher pay without additional perks. Negotiation skills can also help optimize compensation, especially in a market like Omaha where specific settings may have different financial dynamics.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Omaha in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Omaha?
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How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Omaha?
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex 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 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Omaha. 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov