Business & Finance Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Economist Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median economist salary in Kearney, NE is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.3% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$100,267
vs State Avg
$-4,558
vs National
$-13,673
Cost of Living
86%

Economist Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median economist salary of $100,267, which is $4,558 below the Nebraska state average of $104,825. Compared to the national median of $113,940, 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 $100,267 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $116,590 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Kearney spans from $54,560 at the 10th percentile to $174,240 at the 90th percentile — a $119,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level economist earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$101,200
$-13,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $54,560
25th Percentile $72,160
Median (50th) $100,267
75th Percentile $136,400
90th Percentile $174,240

Economist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$108,243
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$107,104
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$104,825
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$97,988
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Economist in Kearney

Education

Most economist positions require a master's degree. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist 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 Economist Jobs in Kearney

Browse open economist positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Kearney

How much does a Economist make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median economist salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $54,560 (10th percentile) to $174,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,267, a economist in Kearney earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for economist pay? ▼
Kearney's median economist salary of $100,267 is 4.3% below the Nebraska state average of $104,825. 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 economist salary of $100,267 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Kearney? ▼
Most economist positions in Kearney require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.