Agriculture & Environment Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median agricultural scientist salary in Kearney, NE is $63,778 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$63,778
vs State Avg
$-2,966
vs National
$-10,382
Cost of Living
86%

Agricultural Scientist Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median agricultural scientist salary of $63,778, which is $2,966 below the Nebraska state average of $66,744. Compared to the national median of $74,160, 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 $63,778 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $74,160 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for agricultural scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for agricultural scientists in Kearney spans from $37,840 at the 10th percentile to $104,920 at the 90th percentile — a $67,080 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,280, while senior agricultural scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $98,900. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level agricultural scientist earns around $41,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $98,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,360
$-10,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,900
$-16,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $37,840
25th Percentile $48,160
Median (50th) $63,778
75th Percentile $84,280
90th Percentile $104,920

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$68,969
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$68,227
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$66,744
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$62,294
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Agricultural Scientist in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

AgronomyResearch MethodsData AnalysisSoil ScienceGeneticsScientific Writing

Job Outlook

Nationally, agricultural scientist 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 Agricultural Scientist Jobs in Kearney

Browse open agricultural scientist positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Agricultural Scientist Salary in Kearney

How much does a Agricultural Scientist make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median agricultural scientist salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $63,778 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $74,160. Salaries range from $37,840 (10th percentile) to $104,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Agricultural Scientist make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $63,778, a agricultural scientist in Kearney earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for agricultural scientist pay? ▼
Kearney's median agricultural scientist salary of $63,778 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $66,744. 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 agricultural scientist salary of $63,778 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a agricultural scientist in Kearney? ▼
Most agricultural scientist positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agronomy, Research Methods, Data Analysis, Soil Science. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.