Healthcare Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Physical Therapist Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median physical therapist salary in Kearney, NE is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$84,039
vs State Avg
$-3,909
vs National
$-13,681
Cost of Living
86%

Physical Therapist Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median physical therapist salary of $84,039, which is $3,909 below the Nebraska state average of $87,948. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Kearney pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Kearney's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $84,039 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $97,720 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Kearney spans from $57,448 at the 10th percentile to $111,972 at the 90th percentile — a $54,524 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,480, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $110,080. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $58,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $110,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $57,448
25th Percentile $68,972
Median (50th) $84,039
75th Percentile $100,104
90th Percentile $111,972

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$90,880
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$89,902
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$87,948
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$82,085
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Kearney

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Kearney

Browse open physical therapist positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Kearney

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $57,448 (10th percentile) to $111,972 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,039, a physical therapist in Kearney earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Kearney's median physical therapist salary of $84,039 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $87,948. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Kearney, NE? ▼
Kearney has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $84,039 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Kearney? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Kearney require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.