Engineering Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Civil Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median civil engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $77,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$77,348
vs State Avg
$-3,598
vs National
$-12,592
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median civil engineer salary of $77,348, which is $3,598 below the Nebraska state average of $80,946. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 $77,348 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Kearney spans from $51,944 at the 10th percentile to $119,196 at the 90th percentile — a $67,252 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,320, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $111,800. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Civil Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $53,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $111,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$77,400
$-12,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$111,800
$-18,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $51,944
25th Percentile $62,952
Median (50th) $77,348
75th Percentile $98,040
90th Percentile $119,196

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$83,644
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$82,745
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$80,946
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$75,550
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open civil engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $77,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $51,944 (10th percentile) to $119,196 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,348, a civil engineer in Kearney earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median civil engineer salary of $77,348 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $80,946. 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 civil engineer salary of $77,348 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.