Trades & Labor Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Machinist Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median machinist salary in Kearney, NE is $42,028 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$42,028
vs State Avg
$-1,955
vs National
$-6,842
Cost of Living
86%

Machinist Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median machinist salary of $42,028, which is $1,955 below the Nebraska state average of $43,983. Compared to the national median of $48,870, 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 $42,028 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Kearney spans from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $63,640 at the 90th percentile — a $36,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,240, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $61,920. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level machinist earns around $29,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $61,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,240
$-4,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,000
$-7,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$61,920
$-10,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $33,540
Median (50th) $42,028
75th Percentile $52,460
90th Percentile $63,640

Machinist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$45,449
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$44,960
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$43,983
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$41,051
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Machinist in Kearney

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist 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 Machinist Jobs in Kearney

Browse open machinist positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Kearney

How much does a Machinist make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median machinist salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $42,028 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $27,520 (10th percentile) to $63,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,028, a machinist in Kearney earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for machinist pay? ▼
Kearney's median machinist salary of $42,028 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $43,983. 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 machinist salary of $42,028 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Kearney? ▼
Most machinist positions in Kearney require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.