Technology Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Network Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median network engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $77,280 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$77,280
vs State Avg
$-3,680
vs National
$-14,720
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median network engineer salary of $77,280, which is $3,680 below the Nebraska state average of $80,960. Compared to the national median of $92,000, 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 $77,280 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for network engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for network engineers in Kearney spans from $47,040 at the 10th percentile to $121,800 at the 90th percentile — a $74,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $50,400, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $115,920. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Network Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level network engineer earns around $50,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $115,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,400
$-9,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$78,960
$-15,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$115,920
$-22,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $47,040
25th Percentile $62,160
Median (50th) $77,280
75th Percentile $99,120
90th Percentile $121,800

Network Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$83,720
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$82,800
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$80,960
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$75,440
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Network Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open network engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Network Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $77,280 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $47,040 (10th percentile) to $121,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,280, a network engineer in Kearney earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median network engineer salary of $77,280 is 4.5% below the Nebraska state average of $80,960. 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 network engineer salary of $77,280 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.