Engineering Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Chemical Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median chemical engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $91,384 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$91,384
vs State Avg
$-4,250
vs National
$-14,876
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median chemical engineer salary of $91,384, which is $4,250 below the Nebraska state average of $95,634. Compared to the national median of $106,260, 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 $91,384 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $106,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Kearney spans from $58,480 at the 10th percentile to $147,920 at the 90th percentile — a $89,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,200, while senior chemical engineers 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.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $60,200, 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)
$60,200
$-9,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$92,880
$-15,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,320
$-22,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $58,480
25th Percentile $72,240
Median (50th) $91,384
75th Percentile $118,680
90th Percentile $147,920

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$98,822
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$97,759
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$95,634
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$89,258
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $91,384 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $58,480 (10th percentile) to $147,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,384, a chemical engineer in Kearney earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median chemical engineer salary of $91,384 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $95,634. 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 chemical engineer salary of $91,384 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.