Physician Assistant Salary in Lincoln, NE: $132,301 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Lincoln, NE earns a median $132,301/year (≈ $63.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $144,463 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Lincoln, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $132,301, which reflects a slightly lower remuneration compared to the national median of $140,391. The salary range for this profession in Lincoln is broad, with entry-level positions starting at around $97,172 and reaching as high as $167,368 for those in more advanced roles or specialties. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment surveys, illustrate the diverse salary potential within the city. In Lincoln, the pay gradient is especially pronounced between surgical and primary care roles, with surgical specialties typically commanding higher salaries due to the complexities involved in procedures and additional responsibilities such as first-assist roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,172 | $46.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,147 | $52.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,301 | $63.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,340 | $67.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,368 | $80.47 |
Median Salary Position
5.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,196 (2026 est.). At $132,301, the local median is 5.76% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be above the median
How Lincoln Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $132,301/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $128,448 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -5.76% less |
Physician Assistants in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $132,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.76% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.00% above the Nebraska state average of $128,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $132,301 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,463 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,900
2025 BLS Actual
$128,050
2026 Current Est.
$132,301
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,301 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,694 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 24.4% from $102,900 (2019) to $128,050 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,694 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,794 (32.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $97,172 – $109,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,147 – $132,301 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,301 – $140,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,340 – $167,368 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Lincoln
Looking deeper into the local job market, Lincoln employs around 290 physician assistants. This number reflects a stable demand for these healthcare professionals, supported by a cost-of-living index of 91.581, which is below the national average. This favorable index suggests that PAs may find their take-home pay stretches further in Lincoln compared to other regions. Among local employers, surgical specialty practices, urgent care chains, and hospital systems tend to offer the most competitive pay. Factors such as case volume, the type of specialty, and whether a position is hospital-employed or private practice can significantly influence compensation levels. To maximize earning potential in Lincoln NE, PAs should consider seeking roles in surgical disciplines, leverage RVU productivity bonuses, and remain open to opportunities that allow for additional call coverage or locum tenens positions that may enhance their overall salary.
More salary data for Lincoln, 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 $128,050 for physician assistantsin the Lincoln 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