Media & Communications Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Photographer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median photographer salary in Kearney, NE is $34,572 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$34,572
vs State Avg
$-1,608
vs National
$-5,628
Cost of Living
86%

Photographer Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median photographer salary of $34,572, which is $1,608 below the Nebraska state average of $36,180. Compared to the national median of $40,200, 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 $34,572 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Kearney spans from $20,640 at the 10th percentile to $70,520 at the 90th percentile — a $49,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,360, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $64,500. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level photographer earns around $22,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $64,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,360
$-3,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$64,500
$-10,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $20,640
25th Percentile $25,800
Median (50th) $34,572
75th Percentile $49,880
90th Percentile $70,520

Photographer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$37,386
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$36,984
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$36,180
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$33,768
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Photographer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

PhotographyLightroom/PhotoshopLightingCompositionPhoto EditingClient Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, photographer 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 Photographer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open photographer positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Kearney

How much does a Photographer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median photographer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $34,572 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $20,640 (10th percentile) to $70,520 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,572, a photographer in Kearney earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for photographer pay? ▼
Kearney's median photographer salary of $34,572 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $36,180. 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 photographer salary of $34,572 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Kearney? ▼
Most photographer positions in Kearney require a high school diploma. Key skills include Photography, Lightroom/Photoshop, Lighting, Composition. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.