Engineering Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median nuclear engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$103,527
vs State Avg
$-4,815
vs National
$-16,853
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527, which is $4,815 below the Nebraska state average of $108,342. Compared to the national median of $120,380, 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 $103,527 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Kearney spans from $65,360 at the 10th percentile to $153,080 at the 90th percentile — a $87,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,080, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $147,920. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $67,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $147,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,080
$-10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$104,920
$-17,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$147,920
$-24,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $65,360
25th Percentile $82,560
Median (50th) $103,527
75th Percentile $127,280
90th Percentile $153,080

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$111,953
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$110,750
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$108,342
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$101,119
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

Nuclear PhysicsReactor DesignSafety AnalysisRadiation ProtectionMATLABRegulatory Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, nuclear engineer 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 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $65,360 (10th percentile) to $153,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $103,527, a nuclear engineer in Kearney earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $108,342. 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 nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Nuclear Physics, Reactor Design, Safety Analysis, Radiation Protection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.