Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Omaha, NE: $66.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Omaha, NE runs $66.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,583 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Omaha's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,156 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Omaha, Nebraska, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $66.63 for the year 2026, slightly below the national median of $67.50 per hour. This hourly wage provides a compelling option for those pursuing part-time positions, such as working three days a week, as well as opportunities in per-diem roles across various healthcare settings including operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. The hourly remuneration for physician assistants in Omaha varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $53.00 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $83.65, showcasing the potential for lucrative career growth in this field. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data, projected to 2026.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.00 | $424.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.26 | $482.05 |
| Median (P50) | $66.63 | $533.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.56 | $588.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.65 | $669.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Omaha
Based on $66.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.63/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Omaha, NE can expect to earn approximately $138,593 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,957. With a cost-of-living index of 91.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Omaha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Omaha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,665.24 | $11,549 | $138,593 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,599.15 | $6,930 | $83,156 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,066.10 | $4,620 | $55,437 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Omaha) | $66.63 |
| 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 Omaha, NE earn a median of $138,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.29% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 7.90% above the Nebraska state average of $128,437.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.63/hr = $83,156/year (purchasing power: $90,474).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,593/year (purchasing power: $150,790).
CoL index: 91.911 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Omaha grew 25.9% from $51.22/hr (2019) to $64.49/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.84/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 Omaha 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 Omaha
For those interested in part-time work, a physician assistant working just 24 hours a week could expect to bring home an annual salary significantly lower than that of full-timers but still attractive given the flexibility. As per diem and locum tenens positions become more common, it's crucial to recognize the earnings potential in these roles; locum PAs often charge between $75 and $130 per hour, especially in demanding specialties like orthopedics, where daily compensation can soar to $1,800 for a single surgical case. In Omaha, hourly rates also differ markedly among employers, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 employment and associated benefits, while specialty practices and urgent care facilities lean towards 1099 arrangements, which may come with higher pay but fewer protections. Understanding these dynamics enables physician assistants to negotiate successfully—whether that means prioritizing higher pay and the flexibility of per diem work or balancing benefits and job security with a guaranteed salary.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Omaha in 2026?
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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 Omaha. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 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