Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $59.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Kearney, NE runs $59.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,702 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,220 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $59.47 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $67.50 per hour, indicating that those working locally might experience different financial dynamics compared to their peers nationwide. For part-time physician assistants, often working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a take-home income that may fit within a flexible lifestyle while still providing a solid basis for their families. It’s important to remember that hourly earnings can vary, with entry-level positions starting around $46.56 per hour and top earners reaching $81.49 per hour. These figures allow for diverse opportunities in settings ranging from operating rooms to urgent care clinics, making the field accessible for various work arrangements, including per-diem roles.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.56 | $372.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.63 | $437.00 |
| Median (P50) | $59.47 | $475.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.37 | $570.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.49 | $651.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $59.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.47/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $123,700 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,365. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,378.84 | $10,308 | $123,700 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,427.30 | $6,185 | $74,220 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $951.54 | $4,123 | $49,480 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Kearney) | $59.47 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Kearney, NE earn a median of $123,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $128,455.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.47/hr = $74,220/year (purchasing power: $81,115).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,700/year (purchasing power: $135,191).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Kearney grew 21.0% from $47.55/hr (2019) to $57.56/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.45/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Kearney
When considering the more complex earning potential in the Kearney area, part-time physician assistants working a 24-hour schedule could expect to earn substantially less than their full-time counterparts on an annual basis. On the locum side, per diem physician assistant pay in Kearney can be more lucrative, with some specialty areas, such as orthopedics, commanding rates between $75 and $130 per hour. Surgical PAs involved in first-assist roles can earn up to $1,800 per day, particularly in operating rooms, while those in emergency medicine may net between $900 and $1,400 for a 12-hour shift. Hourly rates diverge across employer types, where hospital systems typically offer W-2 positions with consistent benefits, while private surgical practices and locum positions might focus on higher hourly pay with fewer benefits. Physicians assistants must weigh these factors carefully—choosing between stable pay with benefits and higher compensation at the cost of job security. For those considering employment in Kearney's healthcare ecosystem, it’s essential to negotiate well, especially when balancing the benefits of employment against potential hourly earnings.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Kearney. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearney 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