Physician Assistant Salary in Kearney, NE: $123,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Kearney, NE earns a median $123,702/year (≈ $59.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $135,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the projected median annual salary for a physician assistant is $123,702 as of 2026. This figure indicates a competitive earnings potential relative to the national median. Local salaries vary widely, with a range from $96,838 at the 10th percentile to $169,499 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, suggesting that factors such as specialty choice significantly influence compensation. Surgical specialties, such as orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, are likely to confer higher wages compared to primary care settings in this area.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,838 | $46.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,621 | $54.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,702 | $59.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,459 | $71.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,499 | $81.49 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,661 (2026 est.). At $123,702, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Kearney median: $123,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $128,455 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -11.89% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $123,702 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,915
2025 BLS Actual
$119,727
2026 Current Est.
$123,702
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,915 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,673 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,083 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,564 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,973 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,727 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $98,915 (2019) to $119,727 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,894 (29.21%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $96,838 – $113,621 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,621 – $123,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,702 – $148,459 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,459 – $169,499 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Kearney
Employment opportunities for physician assistants in Kearney stand at approximately nine local professionals, reflecting a niche job market. The cost of living index for Kearney is notably low at 91.5, meaning that take-home pay tends to stretch further than in many national markets. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices generally offer the most competitive pay. The disparity in compensation is often a result of various factors, such as case volume for first assists, added responsibilities including call coverage, and the structure of employment, be it hospital-based W-2 or 1099 in private practice. For those eager to maximize their earnings in the Kearney market, pursuing positions in surgical specialties, enhancing RVU productivity, and considering dual roles in emergency departments can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Kearney, 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 $119,727 for physician assistantsin the Kearney 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
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