Technology Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

QA Engineer Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median qa engineer salary in Kearney, NE is $75,600 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$75,600
vs State Avg
$-3,600
vs National
$-14,400
Cost of Living
86%

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

Kearney offers a median qa engineer salary of $75,600, which is $3,600 below the Nebraska state average of $79,200. Compared to the national median of $90,000, 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 $75,600 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $87,907 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Kearney spans from $46,200 at the 10th percentile to $119,280 at the 90th percentile — a $73,080 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $48,720, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $113,400. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $48,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $113,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$48,720
$-9,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$77,280
$-14,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$113,400
$-21,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $46,200
25th Percentile $60,480
Median (50th) $75,600
75th Percentile $99,120
90th Percentile $119,280

QA Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$81,900
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$81,000
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$79,200
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$73,800
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a QA Engineer in Kearney

Education

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

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Kearney

Browse open qa engineer positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Kearney

How much does a QA Engineer make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $75,600 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $46,200 (10th percentile) to $119,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $75,600, a qa engineer in Kearney earns approximately $36 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Kearney's median qa engineer salary of $75,600 is 4.5% below the Nebraska state average of $79,200. 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 qa engineer salary of $75,600 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Kearney? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Kearney require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.