Creative & Education Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Instructional Designer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median instructional designer salary in Kearney, NE is $61,920 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$61,920
vs State Avg
$-2,880
vs National
$-10,080
Cost of Living
86%

Instructional Designer Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median instructional designer salary of $61,920, which is $2,880 below the Nebraska state average of $64,800. Compared to the national median of $72,000, 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 $61,920 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $72,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for instructional designers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for instructional designers in Kearney spans from $37,840 at the 10th percentile to $101,480 at the 90th percentile — a $63,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,560, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $96,320. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Instructional Designer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $39,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $96,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,560
$-6,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,640
$-10,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$96,320
$-15,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $37,840
25th Percentile $48,160
Median (50th) $61,920
75th Percentile $81,700
90th Percentile $101,480

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$66,960
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$66,240
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$64,800
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$60,480
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

Instructional DesignArticulate/CaptivateLMSADDIE ModelE-LearningAssessment Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, instructional designer 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 Instructional Designer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open instructional designer positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $61,920 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $37,840 (10th percentile) to $101,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $61,920, a instructional designer in Kearney earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Kearney's median instructional designer salary of $61,920 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $64,800. 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 instructional designer salary of $61,920 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Kearney? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Kearney require a master's degree. Key skills include Instructional Design, Articulate/Captivate, LMS, ADDIE Model. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.