Physical Therapist Salary in Nebraska: $101,037 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $101,037/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,423 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($99,780), Omaha ($99,630), Hastings ($91,733).
In 2026, physical therapists in Nebraska can expect an average median salary of $101,037, which is 4.0% below the national median of $105,288. Within the state, salary disparities exist between different cities. Lincoln is the highest-paying city at $102,235, while Grand Island offers the lowest at $89,222, creating a gap of $13,013. This difference is driven by factors such as local cost of living, demand for services, and the presence of healthcare facilities. Nebraska's physical therapists must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws, which may impact job responsibilities and opportunities. The demand for physical therapy services is influenced by the aging population and the emphasis on rehabilitation, supporting growth in this sector. The projected annual growth rate for physical therapy employment in the state stands at 2.46%, reflecting a steady demand for professionals in this field. With a total of 1,662 employed physical therapists in Nebraska as of 2026, cities like Omaha ($102,081), Hastings ($93,990), Fremont ($93,481), and Bellevue ($93,288) also present solid salary options. Overall, physical therapy in Nebraska offers opportunities, though salaries are slightly lower compared to national averages.
Nebraska Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $68,897 (lowest entry-level) to $124,496 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska physical therapists earn 4.04% less than the national median ($-4,251/year difference).
Nebraska Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Nebraska range from $79,185 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $120,394 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,037. The Nebraska median is $4,251 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $48.58/hr. Approximately 1,662 physical therapists are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$83,061
2025 BLS Actual
$98,611
2026 Current Est.
$101,037
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,061 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,769 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,327 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,136 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,504 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,447 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,611 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,037 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 18.7% from $83,061 (2019) to $98,611 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,461 (24.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Island | $89,222 |
| North Platte | $89,583 |
| Papillion | $89,613 |
| La Vista | $89,707 |
| Norfolk | $89,721 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $102,235 | 91.581 | $111,633 |
| Omaha | $102,081 | 91.911 | $111,065 |
| Grand Island | $89,222 | 86.657 | $102,960 |
| Hastings | $93,990 | 91.5 | $102,721 |
| Fremont | $93,481 | 91.5 | $102,165 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,185 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,037 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $120,394 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | $102,235 |
| 2 | Omaha | $102,081 |
| 3 | Hastings | $93,990 |
| 4 | Fremont | $93,481 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $93,288 |
| 6 | Kearney | $92,771 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $92,452 |
| 8 | Columbus | $89,960 |
| 9 | Norfolk | $89,721 |
| 10 | La Vista | $89,707 |
| 11 | Papillion | $89,613 |
| 12 | North Platte | $89,583 |
| 13 | Grand Island | $89,222 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Nebraska?
How many physical therapists are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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