Creative & Education Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Librarian Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median librarian salary in Kearney, NE is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$52,623
vs State Avg
$-2,448
vs National
$-8,567
Cost of Living
86%

Librarian Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median librarian salary of $52,623, which is $2,448 below the Nebraska state average of $55,071. Compared to the national median of $61,190, 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 $52,623 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Kearney spans from $33,712 at the 10th percentile to $83,076 at the 90th percentile — a $49,364 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,120, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $75,680. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $75,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $33,712
25th Percentile $42,140
Median (50th) $52,623
75th Percentile $66,392
90th Percentile $83,076

Librarian Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$56,907
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$56,295
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$55,071
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$51,400
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Librarian in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

Information ScienceResearchCatalogingCommunity ProgrammingDigital LiteracyDatabase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, librarian employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Librarian Jobs in Kearney

Browse open librarian positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Kearney

How much does a Librarian make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median librarian salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $33,712 (10th percentile) to $83,076 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,623, a librarian in Kearney earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for librarian pay? ▼
Kearney's median librarian salary of $52,623 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $55,071. 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 librarian salary of $52,623 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Kearney? ▼
Most librarian positions in Kearney require a master's degree. Key skills include Information Science, Research, Cataloging, Community Programming. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.