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Physical Therapist Assistant in Nebraska: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Nebraska employs 980 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $61,370 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Nebraska licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Nebraska (May 2025)

Nebraska median pay: $61,370 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,100
Experienced (75th percentile): $69,110
Top earners (90th percentile): $77,690
Employed in Nebraska: 980
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Nebraska markets:

Omaha: $63,470 (440 employed)
Grand Island: $60,880 (60 employed)
Sioux City: $60,530 (40 employed)
Lincoln: $58,650 (170 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Nebraska

Prices in Nebraska run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,370 median stretches to roughly $68,113 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Nebraska (2024–2034)

Nebraska is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +24.5%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Nebraska License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Nebraska DHHS — Division of Public Health (Physical Therapy).

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply to Nebraska DHHS.

Official requirements: Nebraska DHHS — Division of Public Health (Physical Therapy) →

Training in Nebraska

A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Nebraska include:

Central Community College — Associate
Clarkson College — Associate
Metropolitan Community College Area — Associate
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Nebraska

Real Nebraska outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Powerback Rehabilitation — Bellevue
Nye Wellness Center — Fremont
Powerback Rehabilitation — Kearney
Powerback Rehabilitation — Lincoln
Nye Meadows, Inc. dba the Meadows Wellness Center — Norfolk
Select Rehabilitation, LLC — Omaha

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Nebraska?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Nebraska is $61,370 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,100, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,690. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Nebraska?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Nebraska DHHS — Division of Public Health (Physical Therapy). Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Nebraska?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Nebraska metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Nebraska metro areas, Omaha leads at $63,470, followed by Grand Island ($60,880), Sioux City ($60,530). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Nebraska?

Real Nebraska options include Central Community College, Clarkson College, Metropolitan Community College Area. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Nebraska?

Nebraska projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +24.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 220 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Nebraska statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Nebraska DHHS — Division of Public Health (Physical Therapy) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Nebraska wages · Nebraska licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.