Healthcare Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Physician Assistant Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median physician assistant salary in Kearney, NE is $108,369 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$108,369
vs State Avg
$-5,040
vs National
$-17,641
Cost of Living
86%

Physician Assistant Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median physician assistant salary of $108,369, which is $5,040 below the Nebraska state average of $113,409. Compared to the national median of $126,010, 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 $108,369 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,010 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for physician assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physician assistants in Kearney spans from $72,240 at the 10th percentile to $149,640 at the 90th percentile — a $77,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,680, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,320. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physician Assistant Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $75,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$108,360
$-17,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,320
$-22,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $72,240
25th Percentile $91,160
Median (50th) $108,369
75th Percentile $129,860
90th Percentile $149,640

Physician Assistant Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$117,189
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$115,929
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$113,409
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$105,848
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Kearney

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Kearney

Browse open physician assistant positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Kearney

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $108,369 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $72,240 (10th percentile) to $149,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $108,369, a physician assistant in Kearney earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Kearney's median physician assistant salary of $108,369 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $113,409. 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 physician assistant salary of $108,369 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Kearney? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Kearney require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.