Salary & Cost of Living in Kearney, NE
Kearney, NE: $55,827 median salary, cost of living index 89.2, $12.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$55,827
$27/hr
Cost of Living
89.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.00
per hour
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Kearney, NE Overview
Population
34,089
Median Salary
$55,827
Average Salary
$62,526
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Rent
$837/mo
Job Growth
+2.9%
Sales Tax
5.5%
Kearney is located in Nebraska with a population of 34,089. The median household salary is $55,827 per year ($27/hour), which is $3,557 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.9%.
Kearney Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Kearney, NE based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $55,827 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $34,613 | $16.64/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $55,827 | $26.84/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $79,274 | $38.11/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $99,372 | $47.78/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Kearney Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Kearney, NE, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$43,635
$3,636.27/month · $1,678.28/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.8%
Gross Pay
$55,827
Federal Tax
-$4,661
State Tax
-$3,260
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,271
Net Pay
$43,635
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,652.25 | $55,827.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$388.40 | -$4,660.74 |
| Nebraska State Tax (5.84%) | -$271.69 | -$3,260.30 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$288.44 | -$3,461.27 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$67.46 | -$809.49 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,636.27 | $43,635.20 |
Salary Comparison: Kearney vs Other Cities
See how Kearney's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney, NE | $55,827 | 89.2 | $62,586 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Janesville, WI | $55,887 | 88.3 | $63,292 |
| Huntley, IL | $55,903 | 90.7 | $61,635 |
| Lauderhill, FL | $55,906 | 98.1 | $56,989 |
| Cottonwood Heights, UT | $55,912 | 92 | $60,774 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Kearney
Kearney's cost of living index is 89.2 (national average = 100). Living in Kearney is 10.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$837
Annual Rent Cost
$10,044
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $43,635 annual take-home pay in Kearney has the purchasing power of approximately $48,918 in an average-cost US area. Your $55,827 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Kearney
Kearney's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $55,827.
Salary Tips for Kearney Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Kearney has a cost of living 10.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $55,827 here has the purchasing power of about $62,586 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.84% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Kearney's top industries include Agriculture, Insurance, Manufacturing. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $55,827 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Kearney salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Kearney-NE metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Kearney indexed at 89.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Kearney's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $55,827 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Nebraska state income tax (5.84%) (no local income tax), sales tax (5.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Kearney: 2.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Insurance, Manufacturing — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Nebraska.
- Housing context: median home price $205,000, median rent $837/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Kearney, NE:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Kearney unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Kearney QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Nebraska — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Kearney's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Nebraska labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Kearney, NE?
The median salary in Kearney, NE is $55,827 per year, or $27 per hour. The average salary is $62,526. This is $3,557 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Kearney, NE?
Kearney's cost of living index is 89.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $205,000 and the median monthly rent is $837.
What are the best industries in Kearney?
The top industries in Kearney, NE include Agriculture, Insurance, Manufacturing. The city has a job growth rate of 2.9% and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $55,827.
How does Kearney's salary compare to other cities?
Kearney's median salary of $55,827 is 6.0% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 89.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,586.
What is the minimum wage in Kearney, NE?
The minimum wage in Kearney, NE is $12.00 per hour. This equals approximately $24,960 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $4.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.