Technology Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Data Scientist Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median data scientist salary in Kearney, NE is $90,737 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$90,737
vs State Avg
$-4,321
vs National
$-17,283
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median data scientist salary of $90,737, which is $4,321 below the Nebraska state average of $95,058. Compared to the national median of $108,020, 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 $90,737 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $105,508 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Kearney spans from $51,576 at the 10th percentile to $149,688 at the 90th percentile — a $98,112 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,480, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $138,600. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Data Scientist Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level data scientist earns around $60,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $138,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,480
$-11,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$94,080
$-17,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$138,600
$-26,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $51,576
25th Percentile $70,728
Median (50th) $90,737
75th Percentile $118,440
90th Percentile $149,688

Data Scientist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$98,298
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$97,218
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$95,058
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$88,576
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Data Scientist in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Kearney

Browse open data scientist positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Kearney

How much does a Data Scientist make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $90,737 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $51,576 (10th percentile) to $149,688 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $90,737, a data scientist 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 data scientist pay? ▼
Kearney's median data scientist salary of $90,737 is 4.5% below the Nebraska state average of $95,058. 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 data scientist salary of $90,737 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Kearney? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.