Physical Therapist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $102,235 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $102,235/year (≈ $49.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $111,633 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Lincoln, Nebraska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,235, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this role spans from $80,175 at the 10th percentile to $114,642 at the 90th percentile, according to data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. Factors such as workplace setting heavily influence earnings; outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer lower base pay compared to hospital systems but often include bonuses based on productivity metrics. The dynamics of the local healthcare market, including the consolidation of services and varying reimbursement rates, play an essential role in shaping compensation for physical therapists in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,175 | $38.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,486 | $39.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,235 | $49.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,388 | $51.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,642 | $55.11 |
Median Salary Position
2.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,467 (2026 est.). At $102,235, the local median is 2.9% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be above the median
How Lincoln Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $102,235/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $96,357 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.90% less |
Physical Therapists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $102,235 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.90% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.10% above the Nebraska state average of $96,357.
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 earning $102,235 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,633 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,150
2025 BLS Actual
$99,780
2026 Current Est.
$102,235
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,235 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,750 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.0% from $83,150 (2019) to $99,780 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,750 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,600 (25.98%) 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 2.46% 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) | $80,175 – $81,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,486 – $102,235 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,235 – $107,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,388 – $114,642 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Lincoln
The local job market in Lincoln features approximately 390 physical therapists, contributing to the competitive landscape for employment opportunities. With a cost of living index of 91.581, practitioners may find that their take-home pay stretches further in this city compared to more expensive urban areas. Employers such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, and rehab facilities often vary significantly in pay, creating a diverse compensation scenario. High-paying settings may include specialized clinics that focus on sports medicine or pediatric care, while factors like board certifications (OCS, SCS) can add to overall earnings through stipends. To maximize physical therapist pay in Lincoln, professionals should consider options such as pursuing specialized certifications, exploring clinic ownership opportunities, or engaging in cash-pay models that can provide more lucrative reimbursement than traditional insurance routes.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Lincoln, NE in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Lincoln?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Lincoln?
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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
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 $99,780 for physical therapistsin the Lincoln metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 2.46%, 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