Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Hastings, NE: $90,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Hastings, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $90,999 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hastings's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $99,452 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($125,327) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the physician assistant profession in Hastings, Nebraska, the 2026 projected entry-level salary starts at approximately $90,999. This initial pay offers a contrast to the median annual salary of $125,327 for PAs in the area, illustrating a significant gap that newly hired professionals can strive to close. As they gain experience, entry-level PAs can expect realistic growth through increments of approximately $18,471 to reach the 25th percentile salary of $109,470 in the first few years. With a market growth rate of 3.32%, Hastings presents a favorable environment for new PAs, making it an attractive place for fresh graduates looking to begin their careers.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hastings
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hastings
Entry-level physician assistants in Hastings, NE typically start between $90,999 and $109,470 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $76,175 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $125,327 — 10.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Nebraska of $68,000 represents just 74.73% of the starting physician assistant pay ($90,999/year) in Hastings. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Hastings
- 1Research the Hastings market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $90,999 to $109,470, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hastings, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Hastings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hastings's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Hastings is $76,175 ( 83.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $90,999, experienced hygienists can earn up to $167,174.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,448
2025 BLS Actual
$88,075
2026 Current Est.
$90,999
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,448 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,975 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,074 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,285 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,673 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,075 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,020 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Hastings, NE grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,448 in 2019 to $88,075 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $94,020. New graduates entering the Hastings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hastings 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 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Hastings
In Hastings, the demand for entry-level physician assistants is met primarily by employers in primary care and urgent care settings, which typically offer structured onboarding programs for new grads. Such roles enable PAs to gain essential experience in clinical environments and help them build their confidence. To enhance starting compensation, credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and an NCCPA national certification (PA-C) are crucial. Aspiring PAs are encouraged to pursue additional qualifications as needed, including DEA registration and optional Certificates of Added Qualifications in subspecialties. As the PA scope of practice evolves, new graduates should focus on gaining experience in hospital medicine or surgical subspecialties, particularly orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, which often yield higher salaries due to their billing structures. Realistic earnings growth during the first few years could see newcomers transitioning rapidly from entry-level to more competitive salaries as they prove themselves in practice.
More salary data for Hastings, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Hastings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hastings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov