Engineering Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Environmental Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median environmental engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $83,265 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$83,265
vs State Avg
$-3,873
vs National
$-13,555
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median environmental engineer salary of $83,265, which is $3,873 below the Nebraska state average of $87,138. Compared to the national median of $96,820, 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 $83,265 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,820 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for environmental engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Kearney spans from $52,460 at the 10th percentile to $127,280 at the 90th percentile — a $74,820 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,040, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $122,120. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $55,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $122,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,040
$-8,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$122,120
$-19,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $52,460
25th Percentile $65,360
Median (50th) $83,265
75th Percentile $104,920
90th Percentile $127,280

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$90,043
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$89,074
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$87,138
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$81,329
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $83,265 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $52,460 (10th percentile) to $127,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $83,265, a environmental engineer in Kearney earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median environmental engineer salary of $83,265 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $87,138. 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 environmental engineer salary of $83,265 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.