Engineering Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median aerospace engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $109,117 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$109,117
vs State Avg
$-5,075
vs National
$-17,763
Cost of Living
86%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $109,117, which is $5,075 below the Nebraska state average of $114,192. Compared to the national median of $126,880, 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 $109,117 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for aerospace engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Kearney spans from $67,080 at the 10th percentile to $165,120 at the 90th percentile — a $98,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,800, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,100. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $68,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,800
$-11,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$159,100
$-25,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $67,080
25th Percentile $86,000
Median (50th) $109,117
75th Percentile $137,600
90th Percentile $165,120

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$117,998
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$116,730
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$114,192
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$106,579
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Kearney

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $109,117 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $67,080 (10th percentile) to $165,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $109,117, a aerospace engineer 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 aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median aerospace engineer salary of $109,117 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $114,192. 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 aerospace engineer salary of $109,117 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.