Technology Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median machine learning engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $111,720 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$111,720
vs State Avg
$-5,320
vs National
$-21,280
Cost of Living
86%

Machine Learning Engineer Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $111,720, which is $5,320 below the Nebraska state average of $117,040. Compared to the national median of $133,000, 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 $111,720 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $129,907 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for machine learning engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Kearney spans from $68,880 at the 10th percentile to $172,200 at the 90th percentile — a $103,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,280. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,280 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-14,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,400
$-21,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$161,280
$-30,720 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $68,880
25th Percentile $90,720
Median (50th) $111,720
75th Percentile $141,120
90th Percentile $172,200

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$121,030
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$119,700
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$117,040
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$109,060
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonTensorFlow/PyTorchMLOpsStatisticsDeep LearningData Engineering

Job Outlook

Nationally, machine learning engineer employment is projected to grow 40% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open machine learning engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median machine learning engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $111,720 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $68,880 (10th percentile) to $172,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,720, a machine learning engineer in Kearney earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for machine learning engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median machine learning engineer salary of $111,720 is 4.5% below the Nebraska state average of $117,040. 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 machine learning engineer salary of $111,720 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machine learning engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most machine learning engineer positions in Kearney require a master's degree. Key skills include Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, MLOps, Statistics. The job market is projected to grow 40% nationally over the next decade.