Engineering Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median petroleum engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $113,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$113,348
vs State Avg
$-5,272
vs National
$-18,452
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $113,348, which is $5,272 below the Nebraska state average of $118,620. Compared to the national median of $131,800, 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 $113,348 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Kearney spans from $68,800 at the 10th percentile to $173,720 at the 90th percentile — a $104,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,240, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $167,700. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $72,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $167,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,240
$-11,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,240
$-18,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$167,700
$-27,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $68,800
25th Percentile $87,720
Median (50th) $113,348
75th Percentile $144,480
90th Percentile $173,720

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$122,574
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$121,256
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$118,620
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$110,712
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $113,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $68,800 (10th percentile) to $173,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $113,348, a petroleum 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 petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median petroleum engineer salary of $113,348 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $118,620. 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 petroleum engineer salary of $113,348 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.