Physician Assistant Salary in Grand Island, NE: $146,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Grand Island, NE earns a median $146,291/year (≈ $70.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $168,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.9% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Grand Island, Nebraska, can anticipate a median annual salary of $146,291 in 2026, reflecting a 4.20% increase compared to the national median of $140,391 for that year. The salary range for PAs in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $106,843 and experienced practitioners earning up to $173,991. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting trends relevant to the upcoming year. Grand Island's medical market is characterized by a notable surgical versus primary care divide, where specialized roles, particularly in surgical practices, tend to offer higher compensation, aligning with the broader national trend in physician assistant salaries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,843 | $51.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,172 | $60.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,291 | $70.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,746 | $79.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,991 | $83.65 |
Median Salary Position
4.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,148 (2026 est.). At $146,291, the local median is 4.2% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be above the median
How Grand Island Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $146,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $128,438 | +13.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +4.20% more |
Physician Assistants in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $146,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 13.90% above the Nebraska state average of $128,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 86.657 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $146,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $168,816 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,110
2025 BLS Actual
$141,590
2026 Current Est.
$146,291
2019–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,148 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 27.4% from $111,110 (2019) to $141,590 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,148 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,038 (36.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $106,843 – $125,172 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,172 – $146,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,291 – $165,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,746 – $173,991 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Grand Island
Amid a local employment pool of 40 physician assistants, the cost of living in Grand Island is below the national average, with a cost-of-living index at 86.657. This lower index enhances the purchasing power of local salaries, making the compensation more attractive compared to higher-cost areas. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, typically offer the highest pay. The disparity between lower and higher salaries is largely influenced by the specialties practiced, case volume, and whether the PA is employed directly by a hospital or operates in a private practice model. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, PAs should consider focusing on surgical specialties, negotiate clearly for productivity bonuses, and possibly seek opportunities in facilities that emphasize RVU-based compensation structures.
More salary data for Grand Island, 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
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 $141,590 for physician assistantsin the Grand Island metropolitan area. A 3.32% 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 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