Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Kearney, NE: $169,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Kearney, NE — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $169,499/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Kearney's price premium (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $185,245 in average-cost America. The 37% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, NE, senior physician assistants can anticipate a robust salary landscape, with top earners (P90) projected to earn an impressive $169,499 in 2026. This figure, alongside the P75 salary of $148,459, reflects the excellence and expertise required to command such compensation. Despite the median annual salary of $123,702 serving as a strong baseline, the wide gap between this figure and the top-tier earnings underscores the financial incentives associated with extensive experience and specialization. To obtain a position at the pinnacle of this salary range, PAs must often pursue advanced training, take on leadership roles, and seek opportunities in high-need specialties that correlate with higher billing rates.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Kearney earn between $148,459 and $169,499 per year (2026 est.). This $72,661 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Kearney median of $123,702 sits 11.89% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Kearney | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $123,702 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,459 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $169,499 | $196,597 |
In Kearney, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 37.02% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Kearney
Advanced Certifications in Nebraska
NE physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $123,702 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Kearney employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Kearney command premium compensation, often reaching the $148,459–$169,499 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Kearney metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Kearney with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in Nebraska who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Kearney
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedKearney ranks #5 of 13 Nebraska cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $169,499).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Kearney ($169,499) is 1.36% below the Nebraska average P90 ($171,835).
2019 BLS Actual
$135,463
2025 BLS Actual
$164,052
2026 Current Est.
$169,499
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
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 | $135,463 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,075 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,947 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,052 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,126 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Kearney saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $135,463 in 2019 to $164,052 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $175,126 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Kearney
Compensation strategies for experienced physician assistants in Kearney vary considerably based on specialization and employer type. Surgical physician assistants, particularly those working in orthopedics, neurosurgery, and cardiothoracic fields, typically enjoy salaries at the upper echelon due to their involvement in first-assist duties, which enhance hospital revenues. Additionally, compensation discrepancies are prevalent among different employer structures, such as hospital settings, surgical practices, and urgent care facilities. For instance, PAs employed by hospital systems may receive W-2 salary benefits and structured bonuses, while those working as independent contractors (1099) might enjoy more flexibility but face inconsistent earnings. Pursuing advanced credentials like an NCCPA certification, additional specialty qualifications, and leadership positions, such as hospital chief PA or PA program faculty roles, can also result in meaningful salary enhancements. Non-salary advantages, including productivity bonuses, call coverage pay, and case volume opportunities, are critical for senior PAs focused on maximizing their total compensation in Kearney.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Kearney in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Kearney?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Kearney?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Kearney?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Kearney?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $164,052 for physician assistants in the Kearney metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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